University of Virginia Library

In Commendation of that vertuous Gentleman Mr. Henry Welby.

VVell be the blessed Subject of these lines,
Well be the Star that now in glory shines,
Well be thou, well be all that live to dye,
And dye in grace to live immortally.
Thou that did'st from the world thy selfe exclude,
And (by abstaining flesh) the flesh subdu'd;
And with the Sword, (Gods Word) warr'd with the devil,
Still striving to shunne all occasions evill:
For knowing mans best workes to be impure,
From sight of man thou didst thy selfe immure:
Where reading good things, sin was mortifi'd,
Hope was confirm'd, and Faith was fortifi'd.
Thy Charity did worke, (not one day idle)
True Prayer and Fasting did thy frailty bridle,
And (like Cornelius) up to Heaven ascended
Thy Almes and Orisons, and there attended,
Vntill thy soule shooke off earth transitory,
To be enshrin'd, and crown'd with endlesse glory.

Upon the Life of that most worthy Gentleman, Master Henry Welby.

Old Henry Welby, well be thou for ever,
Thy Purgatory's past, thy Heav'n ends never.
Of Eighty foure yeeres life, full forty foure
Man saw thee not, nor e're shall see thee more.
'Twas Piety and Penitence caus'd thee
So long a prisoner (to thy selfe) to be:
Thy bounteous house within, exprest thy mind,
Thy Charity without, the poore did find.
From Wine thou wa'st a duteous Rechabite,
And flesh so long time shunn'd thy appetite:
Small Beere, a Cawdle, Milke, or water-gruell
Strengthned by grace, maintain'd thy dayly duell
Against the witching World, the Flesh, and Fiend,
Which made thee live and dye well; there's an end.