 | Miscellany Poems |  |
The Honourable Grazier.
The
Roman Heroes, that the World subdu'd
Both by their Candor and their Fortitude;
Did with their Arms as usefull Arts put on,
And Govern'd all by Moderation.
Conquer'd themselves, and then for Rule were fit;
Masters at Home, and then made All submit.
The spirit of Magistracy could put on,
And could without resentment lay it down.
Could in all states an even Temper show,
This day Dictator and the next at Plow.
Both by their Candor and their Fortitude;
Did with their Arms as usefull Arts put on,
And Govern'd all by Moderation.
Conquer'd themselves, and then for Rule were fit;
Masters at Home, and then made All submit.
The spirit of Magistracy could put on,
And could without resentment lay it down.
Could in all states an even Temper show,
This day Dictator and the next at Plow.
So calmly you did bear the change of State,
Steer'd right the dangerous Ship of being Great,
Not swell'd with empty Gales of flattering Fate.
And when that needfull Maxims you did call,
From thence you gently did descend, not fall.
Your great Soul less employments stoop'd to bear,
As Gods sometimes to earthly seats repair.
Fate rules mean Souls, the brave do Fate command,
Who still unmov'd on their own Basis stand.
And should the World in pieces break, and all
The shatter'd ruines in one Tempest fall;
No fear could from the rowling Mountains rise,
Nor could their Innocence admit surprize.
“Tis the great Good, that we from Vertue gain;
“Unmov'd in all Earth's changes to remain!
Steer'd right the dangerous Ship of being Great,
Not swell'd with empty Gales of flattering Fate.
And when that needfull Maxims you did call,
From thence you gently did descend, not fall.
Your great Soul less employments stoop'd to bear,
As Gods sometimes to earthly seats repair.
Fate rules mean Souls, the brave do Fate command,
Who still unmov'd on their own Basis stand.
And should the World in pieces break, and all
The shatter'd ruines in one Tempest fall;
No fear could from the rowling Mountains rise,
Nor could their Innocence admit surprize.
14
“Unmov'd in all Earth's changes to remain!
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