Poems, By J. D. [i.e. John Donne] With Elegies on the Authors Death |
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On Doctor Donne, By Dr C. B. of O.
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 | Poems, By J. D. [i.e. John Donne] |  |
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On Doctor Donne, By Dr C. B. of O.
Hee that would write an Epitaph for thee,And do it well, must first beginne to be
Such as thou wert; for, none can truly know
Thy worth, thy life, but he that hath liv'd so;
He must have wit to spare and to hurle downe:
Enough, to keepe the gallants of the towne.
He must have learning plenty; both the Lawes,
Civill, and Common, to judge any cause;
Divinity great store, above the rest;
Not of the last Edition, but the best.
Hee must have language, travaile, all the Arts;
Judgement to use; or else he wants thy parts.
He must have friends the highest, able to do;
Such as Mecœnas, and Augustus too.
He must have such a sicknesse, such a death;
Or else his vaine descriptions come beneath;
Who then shall write an Epitaph for thee,
He must be dead first, let'it alone for mee.
| Poems, By J. D. [i.e. John Donne] | |