It is not impossible that a passage in Ben Jonson's _Bartholomew Fair_ (1614) may contain a satirical allusion to the relation portrayed in the Sonnets (published in 1609). In act v. sc. 3 there is presented a puppet-show setting forth "The ancient modern history of Hero and Leander, otherwise called the Touchstone of true Love, with as true a trial of Friendship between Damon and Pythias, two faithful friends o' the Bankside." Hero is "a wench o' the Bankside," and Leander swims across the Thames to her. Damon and Pythias meet at her lodging, and abuse each other most violently when they find that they have but one love, only to finish up as the best friends in the world.[2] [1] Reproduced in Tyler's _Shakespeare's Sonnets._ [2] _"Damon_. Whore-master in thy face; Thou hast lain with her thyself, I'll prove it in this place. _"Leatherhead_. They are whore-masters both, sir, that's a plain case. _"Pythias_. Thou lie like a rogue. _"Leatherhead_. Do I lie like a rogue? _"Pythias_. A pimp and a scab. _"Leatherhead_. A pimp and a scab! I say, between you _you have both but one drab_. _"Pythias and Damon_. Come, now we'll go together to breakfast to Hero. _"Leatherhead._ Thus, gentles, you perceive without any denial 'Twixt Damon and Pythias here friendship's true trial." VII _PLATONISM--SHAKESPEARE'S AND MICHAEL ANGELO'S SONNETS--THE TECHNIQUE OF THE SONNETS_ The fact that the person to whom Shakespeare's Sonnets are dedicated is simply entitled "Mr. W. H." long served to divert attention from William Herbert, as it was thought that it would have been an impossible impertinence thus to address, without his title, a nobleman like the Earl of Pembroke. To us it is clear that this form of address was adopted precisely in order that Pembroke might not be exhibited to the great public as the hero of the conflict darkly adumbrated in the Sonnets. They were not, indeed, written quite without an eye to publication, as is proved by the poet's promises that they are to immortalise the memory of his friend's beauty. But it was not Shakespeare himself who gave them to the press, and bookseller Thorpe must have known very well that Lord Pembroke would not care to see himself unequivocally designated as the lover of the Dark Lady and the poet's favoured rival, especially as that dramatic episode of his youth ended in a manner which it can scarcely have been pleasant to recall.