A Collection of Several Poems and Verses Composed upon Various Occasions. By Mr. William Cleland |
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In MEMORY of Leiutenent Colonel WILLIAM CLELAND |
 | A Collection of Several Poems and Verses |  |
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In MEMORY of Leiutenent Colonel WILLIAM CLELAND
I'm doubtful whom first to invite, to share
In what my Griefs and heavy Sorrows are.
Mars or the Muses; both receiv'd a Wound
That dismal day, Great Cleland fell to Ground;
Who e're love Learning, must his fall deplore:
For in his Brain was comprehended more
Philosophy, Divinity and Law,
Than of his Years, this Age in one Man saw,
I justly may then call the poreing Tribe,
That in the Courts of Great Appollo bide,
To joyn with me, and to Lament in Verse
And poure a shower of Tears upon his Hearse:
Oh! fruitless Tears, for they cannot return
This Worthy Hero from his Mournfull Urne;
Mournful to us, to him a sweet Repose;
For's Mortal part: While as his Soul with those
Who are Redeem'd, sweet Halelujahs Sings,
And 'mongst those crown'd heads triumphs & reigns
In what my Griefs and heavy Sorrows are.
Mars or the Muses; both receiv'd a Wound
That dismal day, Great Cleland fell to Ground;
Who e're love Learning, must his fall deplore:
For in his Brain was comprehended more
Philosophy, Divinity and Law,
Than of his Years, this Age in one Man saw,
I justly may then call the poreing Tribe,
That in the Courts of Great Appollo bide,
To joyn with me, and to Lament in Verse
And poure a shower of Tears upon his Hearse:
Oh! fruitless Tears, for they cannot return
This Worthy Hero from his Mournfull Urne;
Mournful to us, to him a sweet Repose;
For's Mortal part: While as his Soul with those
Who are Redeem'd, sweet Halelujahs Sings,
And 'mongst those crown'd heads triumphs & reigns
In the next place, my sad and grieved Heart
Calls greatest Sword-Men here to take a part:
And tho ye're more acquaint with Blood than tears;
Yet when this sad distressing Sight appears,
Brave Cleland's Corps laid in a darksome Grave,
Dry Eyes ty'd Tongues, or whole Hearts can you have?
He's gone, who Valour could the Valiant teach?
He's gone, who's Conduct was of no mean reach?
(But if he fell by Craft, or Treachery;
When he's turn'd Dust, his precious Blood shall cry)
He's gone, prefer'd his Honour to his Breath;
He's gone priz'd Life, yet never feared Death.
He's gone, whose Art in using Tempered Steel.
Has made his Foes seek safety from their Heel.
Calls greatest Sword-Men here to take a part:
And tho ye're more acquaint with Blood than tears;
Yet when this sad distressing Sight appears,
Brave Cleland's Corps laid in a darksome Grave,
Dry Eyes ty'd Tongues, or whole Hearts can you have?
He's gone, who Valour could the Valiant teach?
He's gone, who's Conduct was of no mean reach?
135
When he's turn'd Dust, his precious Blood shall cry)
He's gone, prefer'd his Honour to his Breath;
He's gone priz'd Life, yet never feared Death.
He's gone, whose Art in using Tempered Steel.
Has made his Foes seek safety from their Heel.
No Mortals Name I will bid you Adore,
But such a loss, ye surely should deplore
And grieve he's gone: It is but now and then,
This barren Earth, produceth such rare Men.
Great Cleland, when thy soul from earth took flight
Thou prov'd it true, saints can both pray & fight:
And gave the lye to their reproachful Words,
Say Praying men, can make no use of Swords.
And as thy Life to Enemies was Pain,
As Sampsons death, so thine may prove their Bane
From many eyes, thy fall a salt shower drew:
But God still lives. Blest Soul we bide Adieu.
But such a loss, ye surely should deplore
And grieve he's gone: It is but now and then,
This barren Earth, produceth such rare Men.
Great Cleland, when thy soul from earth took flight
Thou prov'd it true, saints can both pray & fight:
And gave the lye to their reproachful Words,
Say Praying men, can make no use of Swords.
And as thy Life to Enemies was Pain,
As Sampsons death, so thine may prove their Bane
From many eyes, thy fall a salt shower drew:
But God still lives. Blest Soul we bide Adieu.
EPITAPH.
Grace, Learning, Valour centered in oneAdorn'd that dust, lyes here below this stone:
Because on Earth, his Equals were but few,
His Soul took wing, & early Heavenward flew
That he might shun earths folly stains, & care,
And with His Mates, sing Halelujahs there.
| A Collection of Several Poems and Verses | |