University of Virginia Library

Vpon the Life and Death of Master Henry Welby.

VVhat age is this we live in, that does see,
And produce wonders 'bove Antiquity?
Some Nature taxe, as if our life and growth
Were unto former times inferior both.
Yet we saw one of late, that when he stood,
He look't as he were borne before the Flood.
A second, numbring dayes, as they should have
No end, or did defie Death, and the Grave.
A third, as if that Nature would amend,
And contract what she did before extend,
Is like a Pigmy in his height decreas'd,
Who now will say that Miracles are ceas'd?
Looke farther in Mens manners, you will finde
As great a disproportion in the minde:
We have a Welby, can himselfe immure
Within his Chamber, and there live secure
Forty odd yeares, and rather more, than lesse,
Than Israel once did in the Wildernesse.
He eate no Manna, nor no fare so good,
And yet he never murmur'd at his food.
Flesh he abhorr'd, and wine; he drank smal beere,
Cowes Milke and water-gruell was his cheere:
It was not avarice, nor hope of gaine,
Nor love towards his heire, made him abstaine:
He was no Sectary, no Anchorite,
Nor yet of that engagement, to invite
To such a strictnesse, vaine applause to winne;
Nor was it any pennance for his sin:
But once upon distaste, he took an Oath,
And since all mens society did loath,
Which made him live inclos'd thus: yet his purse
VVas open, and the poore far'd ne're the worse.
He read all Bookes, and for his recreation,
He used frequent Prayer, and Contemplation.
O who can sound the thoughts that doe arise
From minds so rap't, and fill'd with extasies?
Thus Welby liv'd according to his vow:
VVhose Life to us was but a Death, and now,
That he his wonted solitute may have,
He is retir'd to a more silent Grave.