University of Virginia Library

An Elegie on the Death of that Noble and Renowned Gentleman, Collonel Simon Lambert, of the Island of the Barbadoes.

Before some Famine, Pestilence, or War,
Or Monarchs Death, Heaven sends a blazing Star,
To let us know not what to hope, but fear,
When such Portents his Messengers appear.
And can great Lambert dye, and Nature show
No sign, so great a ruine to forego?
Had I beheld th' Illustrious Prince of Light
Resign his glorious Rays to sable Night,
And some bright Constellation fall from thence,
I instantly shou'd have inferr'd from hence
Our certain loss, and boldly wou'd have said,
The Heavens declare that vertuous Lambert's dead.
But none of these presented to our view,
Yet that he's dead, we know to be too true.
Let us consider then what loss we have,
And what great Vertue's buried in his Grave:
For we lament no shrub that was but small,
But grieve to see this stately Cedar's fall.
Beneath whose spreading Branches, whilest it stood,
Whilst it did flourish like a verdant Wood,
We did enjoy all that was just and good.
Great Jonathan, a Witness thou may'st be,
He liv'd to serve his Sovereign and thee.
He was no gilded Image, that did show
A Glorious outside, and did nothing know:
But he in every part was so compleat,
As shew'd that he was wise, as well as great.
Among the Best, he Noblest was, and where
The Noblest were, there he did Best appear.
Mercy and Justice both did in him dwell,
And each did strive which shou'd in him excell.
He, like another Atlas, did sustain
This Islands burthen, with Minerva's Brain;
And in each Exigent he did advise,
As if that he had seen with Argus Eyes.
In sum, Each action has deserv'd Renown,
For which he shall receive a Heavenly Crown,
And sing with Angels in that glorious Choire,
To which his Righteous Soul did still aspire.