The works of Sr William Davenant ... Consisting of Those which were formerly Printed, and Those which he design'd for the Press: Now published Out of the Authors Originall Copies |
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EPITAPH.
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 | The works of Sr William Davenant |  |
306
EPITAPH.
On Mr. John Sturmy.
Reader, here Sturmy lies; which being knownThou canst not suffer him to lie alone;
For when thou study'st well what thou shalt Read,
Thou, putting off thy Flesh, wilt come to Bed.
Graves from our Beds no other diff'rence have,
But that our quiet'st rest is in the Grave:
In Graves, even when ill made, we never ake;
In easi'st Beds we start, and turn, and wake.
But this discourse, to shew where he does lie,
(Praising his ease in Death, to make thee dye)
Is not so wise and needful, as to tell
How much he others did in Life excel:
For so, thou, by the Pattern he did give,
Mayst for the publick good, think fit to live.
Though Sturmy was deriv'd from ancient Race,
Though to his Birth his Courage gave a grace;
Yet was he not ingag'd in haughty Wars,
But busy'd in the Citys humble cares:
Liv'd quiet in a sad and furious Age,
When Valour every where did swell to Rage;
When Justice with the Sword was fain to fence
At a close Guard to rescue Innocence.
He therefore laid his quiet Courage by,
Because too weak to strive with destiny.
So plainly just, as kept him safe from strife;
Still kind to all, but kindest to his Wife:
Who being of his company bereft;
Does daily seek him in his Pledges left:
Two Pledges left to pay her that esteem
Which, for her use, his love had pay'd to them.
In ripest years, his mind did secretly
Consume his Body, which made haste to dye.
Consum'd with grief, to see the publick crimes,
He dy'd as thou should'st wisely do, betimes,
| The works of Sr William Davenant | |