University of Virginia Library

CX. To Clement Edmonds, On His Cæsars Commentaries observed, and translated.

Not Cæsars deeds, not all his honours wonne,
In these west-parts, nor when that warre was done,
The name of Pompey for an enemie,
Cato's to boot, Rome, and her libertie,
All yeelding to his fortune, nor, the while,
To have engrav'd these Acts, with his owne stile,
And that so strong and deepe, as't might be thought,
He wrote, with the same spirit that he fought,
Nor that his work liv'd in the hands of foes,
Un-argued then, and yet hath fame from those;
Not all these, Edmonds, or what else put too,
Can so speake Cæsar, as thy labours doe.
For, where his person liv'd scarce one just age,
And that, midst envie, and parts; then fell by rage:
His deeds too dying, but in bookes (whose good
How few have read! how fewer understood?)
Thy learned hand, and true Promethean art,
(As by a new creation) part by part,
In every counsell, stratageme, designe,
Action, or engine, worth a note of thine,
T'all future time, not only doth restore
His life, but makes, that he can dye no more.