Thealma and Clearchus A Pastoral History, In smooth and easie Verse. Written long since, By John Chalkhill |
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To my worthy Friend Mr. ISAAC WALTON; On the Publication of this Poem. |
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 | Thealma and Clearchus |  |
To my worthy Friend Mr. ISAAC WALTON; On the Publication of this Poem.
Long had the bright Thealma lain obscure,Her beauteous Charms that might the world allure,
Lay, like rough Diamonds in the Mine, unknown;
By all the Sons of Folly trampled on,
Till your kind hand unveil'd her lovely Face,
And gave her vigor to exert her Rays.
Happy Old Man, whose worth all mankind knows,
Except himself, who charitably shows
The ready road to Virtue, and to Praise,
The Road to many long, and happy days;
The noble Arts of generous Piety,
And how to compass true felicity,
The bright Thealma was his Oracle:
Inspir'd by her, he knows no anxious cares,
Tho near a Century of pleasant years;
Easie he lives, and chearful shall he die,
Well spoken of by late Posterity.
As long as Spencer's noble slames shall burn,
And deep Devotions throng about his Urn;
As long as Chalkhill's venerable Name,
With humble emulation shall inflame
Ages to come, and swell the Rolls of Fame:
Your memory shall ever be secure,
And long beyond our short-liv'd Praise endure;
As Phidias in Minerva's Shield did live,
And shar'd that immortality he alone could give.
June 5. 1683. Tho. Flatman.
| Thealma and Clearchus | |