 | The Workes of Benjamin Jonson |  |
An Epitaph, on Henry L. La-ware.
To the Passer-by.
If, Passenger, thou canst but reade:Stay, drop a teare for him that's dead,
Henry, the brave young Lord La-ware,
Minerva's and the Muses care!
What could their care doe 'gainst the spight
Of a Disease, that lov'd no light
Of honour, nor no ayre of good?
But crept like darknesse through his blood?
Offended with the dazeling flame
Of Vertue, got above his name?
No noble furniture of parts,
No love of action, and high Arts.
No aime at glorie, or in warre,
Ambition to become a Starre,
Could stop the malice of this ill,
That spread his body o're, to kill:
And only, his great Soule envy'd,
Because it durst have noblier dy'd.
| The Workes of Benjamin Jonson | |