University of Virginia Library

AN EPITAPH,

Or rather, A Funerall Elegie upon the Right VVorshipfull Mr. Henry Welby, Esquire, who dyed at his House in Grub-streete, and lyeth buried in the Church of Saint Giles, neare Cripple-gate.

VVho on the setting Sun shal cast their eyes,
May easily guess next morning how he'l rise.
Those that our parting from this old world view,
May presuppose what welcome in the new
Is to be had; but best, when Qualis vita
Is sweetly Echo'd to by Finis ita.
If this be true, as no man needs to doubt,
Search this mans life, nay, all the world throughout,
To paralell in both, 't may be deny'd
Many more strictly liv'd, more Saint-like dy'd:
And therefore we may fairely hope, that he
Is now where we may wish our selves to be.
This man through many stormes & tempests hurld,
Though he was in, yet was not of the world;
When forty foure yeeres since he did divide
Himselfe from men, even then to men he dy'd:
And at that time, his precious soule to save,
His Chamber made his Chappell, Bed his Grave.
What did he now then? since none twice can dye,
He chang'd his Bed, remote from noise to lye,
Where undisturb'd, he better rest might take,
Untill the Angels Trumpet him awake.
This, of such note, so late, shall we let passe
Sleightly? No; rather make his Dust our Glasse,
Him our Momento, and his Life (no lesse)
A Mirrour, by the which our lives to dresse.
And though we strive not to be like austere,
(For that indeed scarce humane strength can beare)
Let's in some sort our love to vertue shew,
And crawle like Children, ere they well can goe.
If he hath beene so abstinent? at least
Let us forbeare to surfeit when we feast.
He dranke no Wine at all, let us not use
Immoderate Cups, our senses to abuse.
His cloaths were onely to defend from cold,
Shall our pyde garments then be dawb'd with gold?
Many his Manours were, and great his rent,
Yet he with one small chamber was content.
Then let not such, already well possest
By powers hye hand, their lands from others wrest.
His Temperance all vaine obiects did despise,
Let us then make some covenant with our eyes:
If he from his best strength to his last houres
Pull'd downe his body, let's not pamper ours.
Rare Presidents ought to be followed most:
Than this, a rarer there's no Age can boast.