University of Virginia Library

A POEM COMMENDATORY, To the incomparable Pattern of inimitable Perfection,

Mrs. ELIANOR ENGLEFIELD Sister unto the justly honoured, Sir Francis Englefield, Baronet.

Madam,

Your Merit at this minute raises
My Pen to paint the Picture of your Praises;
And 'tis most fit some good hand should hold forth,
Their virtues who are modest in their worth;
For he whose wary eys shal look upon
Your features with examination,
May easily discern as many charms
As theirs that are lock'd in great Princes Arms:
I do not say your Eys are Stars, or that
Your Lip and Cheek are to be wondred at;
Nor that your Alablaster Brow and Breast,
Out-shine the Snow, out-scent the Phœnix nest:
But that in every part of you doth move,
Something for every one to fall in Love:
That man which would all female feature view,
Hath lost his eyes that finds it not in you:
Love leads you by the hand, and your fair youth,
Knows nothing but what's relative to truth:
Imperial innocence in either eye,
Declares whole volumes of divinity:
Such looks as yours would make a Poet grow
Fluent and chast but love in Folio:
Arts are your honourers, the Wise do sip
Sententious sweetnesse from your sacred Lip:
Beauty and Grace, the onely perfect path
Of Love and Honour your perfection hath:
Excuse my language, Madam, for your high
Deservings are above all flattery:
Truth fills me with these praises, you excel
In merit more then I can write or tell:
Heaven inspire you, may the crowned crue
Of Cherubims for ever wait on you;
Faith fils your frame it shews where ere you pass
Transparent as a Lilly clos'd in Glass:
Opinions not your rule, what ere you see,
Is through the Opticks of pure Piety:
Wisdome with true Religion is your Law,
And kept like the Decrees in Persia,
Knowing no alteration: May the bright
Beams of eternal glory be your light;
Eternal joys dwell with you: May you do
Nothing but what your Maker prompts you to:
Noble intentions, guide your thoughts, and may
No evill meet you till your Funeral day:
As you are blest with Beauty, so may you
Be faithfull where you find a Servant true:
Love is a Princely Passion, if it be
Accommodated with Fidelity:
Constancy Crowns all Union, if that Virtue
Knit a firm knot, falshood can never hurt you.
Excuse these rude expressions, what I do
Madam! your fair deserts invite me to.