University of Virginia Library

THE EPITAPH OF the Right honorable Sir James Acrofft, late Controller of the Queenes Maiesties Housholde.

If world were waxt vnkind, and would forget what heere is done:
And cleane weare out of mind, the doubtful race that men do run,
True writers should reuiue, time past for feare old age would rust,
And some young heads aliue, would burie vertue in the dust.
VVhere are our famous Kings, the shepheards of our English heard,
That conquerd many things, and made our enemies all affeard,
Our world remembers none, with princely Tombes, or blast of praise,
They are no sooner gone, but their renowne in world decayes.
Their Counsellers likewise, whose wisedome held vp tottring state,
Once dead we doe despise, we beare in breast such hart borne hate.
Thus world is worse then nought, his care and iudgement is so small,
It neuer takes no thought, for nothing heere that may befall.
But God that all doth see, and giues man grace and gift of pen,
Of late hath moued mee, with verse to honour worthy men.
Than come Syr James Acrofft, a Knight who serud 4 princes great,
Who Fortune fauourd oft, and who sate long in Senate seate.
(Who was a while vizroy, and then of Wales vizpresdent to,
Did many roomes enioy, which none aliue may easily doe.)
Come take the Crowne Ciuicque, that Cæsar gaue for true renowne,
Not one may weare the like, in warlike fielde or walled Towne.
But those that beares in brest, to Country such great loue and zeale,
As still they doe their best, to serue both Prince & Common-weale.
Let Fraunce & Scotland both, and Jreland shew in louing sort,
His duety and his troth, bid all those Realmes yeeld true report.
And tell me who can say, now borne in this our Brittish soyle,
He passed cleere this day, through such great roomes without some foyle.
And last in Court of all, Sir Iames Acroffts Controller was,
That credite is not small, that place through many perrils passe.
Yet that and all the rest, of honors he possessed heere,
Fild neyther purse nor chest, for he bought all those honors deere.
VVith losse of time and wealth, and dreadfull dangers day and night,
To hazard life and health, and all he had for Countryes right.
Yea in his brauest boast, when he in greatest fauour stood,
And profits deserud most, the Princes died should doe him good.
Saue one, a Queene most rare, (to whom great God great grace dooth send
Tooke of his case som care, & thought to help him in the end.
But ere the comfort came, his blaze and candle cleane went out,
And meeke & milde as lambe, (that doth no death nor danger doubt)
He tooke his last farewell: and so lost life, lands, goods and all,
To her he serued well, so long as he was at her call.
Loe what mishaps men haue, to rise, and rule, and gouerne mych:
Yet going to their graue, the world may see they die not rych.
A signe they had no hord, but had their hope in Prince and troth:
By seruice and by sword, to purchase fame and treasure both.
Now lowe in earth he lies, (that hie did sit and beare great sway:)
Tyll he and wee shall rise, and heare our doome at Iudgement day.