Wasp, in the drama called Bartholomew Fair, by Ben Jonson (1574-1637).
Benjamin Johnson, an actor [1665-1742], commonly called Ben Johnson, ... seemed to be proud to wear the poet’s name, being particularly great in all that author’s plays that were usually performed, viz., “Wasp,” “Corbaccio,” “Morose,” and “Ananias.”--Chetwood, History of the Stage.
⁂ “Corbaccio,” in The Fox; “Morose,” in The Silent Woman; and “Ananias,” in The Alchemist.
Waste Time Utilized.
Baxter wrote his Saints’ Everlasting Rest on a bed of sickness (1615-1691).
Bloomfield composed The Farmer’s Boy in the intervals of shoemaking (1766-1823).
Bramah (Joseph), a peasant’s son, occupied his spare time when a mere boy in making musical instruments, aided by the village blacksmith. At the age of 16 he hurt his ankle while ploughing, and employed his time while confined to the house in carving and making woodwares. In another forced leisure from a severe fall, he employed his time in contriving and making useful inventions, which ultimately led him to fame and fortune (1749-1814).
Bunyan wrote his Pilgrim’s Progress while confined in Bedford jail (1628-1688).
Burritt (Elihu) made himself acquainted with ten languages while plying his trade as a village blacksmith (Hebrew, Greek, Syriac, Spanish, Bohemian, Polish, Danish, Persian, Turkish, and Ethiopic). His father was a village cobbler, and Elihu had only six months’ education, and that at the school of his brother (1811-1879).
Carey, the missionary and Oriental translator, learnt the rudiments of Eastern languages while employed in making and mending shoes (1761-1834).