 | The Workes of Benjamin Jonson |  |
XCIII. To Sir John Radcliffe.
How like a Columne, Radcliffe, left aloneFor the great marke of vertue, those being gone
Who did, alike with thee, thy house up-beare,
Stand'st thou, to shew the times what you all were?
Two bravely in the battaile fell, and dy'd,
Upbraiding rebells armes, and barbarous pride:
And two, that would have falle as great, as they,
The Belgick fever ravished away.
Thou, that art all their valour, all their spirit,
And thine own goodnesse to encrease thy merit,
Than whose I do not know a whiter soule,
Nor could I, had I seen all Natures roule,
Thou yet remayn'st, un-hurt, in peace, or war,
Though not unprov'd: which shews, thy fortunes are
Willing to expiate the fault in thee,
Wherewith, against thy blood, they offenders be.
| The Workes of Benjamin Jonson | |