Might think th' infection of my sorrows loud Had got a race of mourners on some pregnant cloud. 55 This subject the Author finding to be above the years he bad when he wrote it, and nothing satisfied with what was begun, left it unfinished. AN EPITAPH ON THE ADMIRABLE DRAMATIC POET, (1630.) WHAT needs my Shakespear for his honour'd bones, The labour of an age in piled stones, Or that his hallow'd reliques should be hid Under a star-ypointing pyramid ? Dear son of memory, great heir of fame, 5 What need'st thou such weak witness of thy name? Hast built thyself a live-long monument: For whilst to th' shame of slow-endeavouring art ON THE UNIVERSITY CARRIER, Who sickened in the time of his vacancy, being forbid HERE lies old Hobson; Death hath broke his girt, Or else the ways being foul, twenty to one, ΙΟ 15 'Twas such a shifter, that if truth were known Had not his weekly course of carriage fail'd; But lately finding him so long at home, And thinking now his journey's end was come, In the kind office of a chamberlin Shew'd him his room, where he must lodge that night, If any ask for him, it shall be sed, 5 IO 16 ANOTHER ON THE SAME. HERE lieth one who did most truly prove, So hung his destiny, never to rot While he might still jog on, and keep his trot; Time numbers motion, yet (without a crime 5 ΙΟ Too long vacation hastned on his term. 15 Fainted, and died, nor would with ale be quickn'd; 20 Ease was his chief disease, and to judge right, As he were prest to death, he cried, 'More weight'; 25 30 Only remains this superscription. Yet (strange to think) his wain was his increase: AN EPITAPH ON THE MARCHIONESS OF WINCHESTER. (1631.) THIS rich marble doth inter The honour'd wife of Winchester; A viscount's daughter, an earl's heir, Added to her noble birth, More than she could own from Earth. After so short time of breath, 5 To house with darkness, and with death. ΙΟ Been as complete as was her praise, In giving limit to her life. Her high birth, and her graces sweet, Quickly found a lover meet; The virgin quire for her request 15 He at their invoking came, But with a scarce-well lighted flame; And in his garland as he stood, 20 And now with second hope she goes, 25 Spoil'd at once both fruit and tree: So have I seen some tender slip 30 35 40 45 50 55 And some flowers, and some bays, Sent thee from the banks of Came, Devoted to thy virtuous name; 60 Whilst thou, bright saint, high sit'st in glory, ON HIS BEING ARRIVED TO THE AGE OF 23. (1631.) How soon hath Time, the subtle thief of youth, That I to manhood am arriv'd so near; Yet be it less or more, or scon or slow, It shall be still in strictest measure ev'n, To that same lot, however mean, or high, 5 ΙΟ Toward which Time leads me, and the will of Heav'n; All is, if I have grace to use it so, As ever in my great Task-Master's eye. |