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The Old-English GENTLEMAN.
An Elegiac Poem upon the truly honourable Sir Gervas Clifton, of Clifton, Knight and Baronet.
1665.
1.
Imagine me one toss'd on shore,
O'rewhelm'd in tides of Grief before;
Come to my self, I now must him deplore.
O'rewhelm'd in tides of Grief before;
Come to my self, I now must him deplore.
Men well nigh drown'd cannot invent
One word, whilst any Water's pent:
So Grief is silent, untill Tears have vent.
One word, whilst any Water's pent:
So Grief is silent, untill Tears have vent.
But now my Sorrow is wept dry,
And I long since did tilt each Eye;
Tears from my Pen must now that want supply.
And I long since did tilt each Eye;
Tears from my Pen must now that want supply.
Yet if I every tear should tell,
They would into an Ocean swell;
These are but those that in my Standish fell.
They would into an Ocean swell;
These are but those that in my Standish fell.
But now these Tides their Banks must break,
Lest standing too long still they make
The clear-quick Streams of Helicon a Lake.
Lest standing too long still they make
The clear-quick Streams of Helicon a Lake.
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Grief shows then best when freshly wept:
Roses lose scent, if too much steept;
And Manna mouldy grows if too long kept.
Roses lose scent, if too much steept;
And Manna mouldy grows if too long kept.
Silent I was when I did come
T'attend the Sermon o're his Tomb:
When Sion speaks, Parnassus should be dumb.
T'attend the Sermon o're his Tomb:
When Sion speaks, Parnassus should be dumb.
Though Poets hence are noblest crown'd;
They are, alas! too seldom found
To trace their Measures out in holy ground.
They are, alas! too seldom found
To trace their Measures out in holy ground.
Yet when in Anthems, their desires
Are tun'd to th' key of Angel-Quires;
Such Breathings may augment Cœlestial Fires.
Are tun'd to th' key of Angel-Quires;
Such Breathings may augment Cœlestial Fires.
'Tis well if Paphian Lawrels may
Presume to sweep the dust away,
Fell from the Prophet's feet that solemn day.
Presume to sweep the dust away,
Fell from the Prophet's feet that solemn day.
Especially my fading Bays;
Too often wither'd by the Rays
O'th' Cyprian Star, whereon young Dotards gaze.
Too often wither'd by the Rays
O'th' Cyprian Star, whereon young Dotards gaze.
Yet if my Muse can now indite
Any thing, that comes near the right;
Blest Clifton! 'tis become thy Proselyte.
Any thing, that comes near the right;
Blest Clifton! 'tis become thy Proselyte.
2.
'Tis good to treat of Subjects fit:
An Atheist once of Heaven writ,
And Heav'n was pleased to convert his Wit.
An Atheist once of Heaven writ,
And Heav'n was pleased to convert his Wit.
96
But what can Wit or Verses do
To his Advance? alas! 'tis true,
They may contract his greatness to our view.
To his Advance? alas! 'tis true,
They may contract his greatness to our view.
Phœbus needs none but his own Light;
Prospectives make not him more bright,
But only serve to aid our purblind Sight.
Prospectives make not him more bright,
But only serve to aid our purblind Sight.
From Romes Republick Crowns did come;
But Verse can give a nobler doom;
Yet he crowns Verse; as Cæsar crowned Rome.
But Verse can give a nobler doom;
Yet he crowns Verse; as Cæsar crowned Rome.
Poets shall make his Name to bear
Live-Lawrels, and inhabit there:
As Nightingales on Orpheus's Sepulchre.
Live-Lawrels, and inhabit there:
As Nightingales on Orpheus's Sepulchre.
Yet they who can themselves retrieve
Fro' th' Grave, and Life to others give;
Will gladly court his Shadow there to live.
Fro' th' Grave, and Life to others give;
Will gladly court his Shadow there to live.
3.
'Tis said, the Pourtraiture of Wit
Exceeds the Life, and is then fit,
When 'tis not so like us as we like it.
Exceeds the Life, and is then fit,
When 'tis not so like us as we like it.
But such vain Rules we now must shun;
Hyperboles are here out-done,
As much as Candles are out-shin'd by th' Sun.
Hyperboles are here out-done,
As much as Candles are out-shin'd by th' Sun.
A genuine Beauty suits each dress;
Bad faces, to their shame, confess
All Art but paints 'em into Ugliness.
Bad faces, to their shame, confess
All Art but paints 'em into Ugliness.
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Great mens Defects are oft supply'd
By Verse, hence Crimes derive their Pride:
Thus Cæsar's Garlands did his Baldness hide.
By Verse, hence Crimes derive their Pride:
Thus Cæsar's Garlands did his Baldness hide.
But no more blame falls to our share,
Than to those Chamber-maids, whose care
But washes Faces that before were fair.
Than to those Chamber-maids, whose care
But washes Faces that before were fair.
If Truth should never be exprest
But by those who can do it best;
She might go naked still, or thinly drest.
But by those who can do it best;
She might go naked still, or thinly drest.
At Coronations 'twere a thing
Most strange, if only great Bells ring;
Or none but Courtiers cry'd, God save the King.
Most strange, if only great Bells ring;
Or none but Courtiers cry'd, God save the King.
From low Stops highest Notes are rais'd;
By poor mens pray'rs none are disgrac'd:
Cæsar did boast when in a Cottage prais'd.
By poor mens pray'rs none are disgrac'd:
Cæsar did boast when in a Cottage prais'd.
All Wit is here by Grief out-done;
And Brains dissolv'd, to Tears do run;
Yet Tears distill'd thus may prove Helicon.
And Brains dissolv'd, to Tears do run;
Yet Tears distill'd thus may prove Helicon.
Let never any Poets more,
The help of other Streams implore;
Here is sufficient to increase their store.
The help of other Streams implore;
Here is sufficient to increase their store.
May they amend what I have done;
By my Defects their helps are shown:
Thus Hones set Edges, tho themselves have none.
By my Defects their helps are shown:
Thus Hones set Edges, tho themselves have none.
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4.
Variety of choice is such
A puzzle, few know how to touch;
So here too little is, because too much.
A puzzle, few know how to touch;
So here too little is, because too much.
Over-great store distracts a mind;
Excess of light may strike one blind;
Friends make us poor, by being over-kind.
Excess of light may strike one blind;
Friends make us poor, by being over-kind.
Lately when Justice, Learning, fail'd,
Honour and Loy'lty were assail'd;
By him alone those Vertues all were bail'd.
Honour and Loy'lty were assail'd;
By him alone those Vertues all were bail'd.
Since dead, let's keep his Name alive;
That if hereafter Hell should strive
To murder Vertue, It might hence revive.
That if hereafter Hell should strive
To murder Vertue, It might hence revive.
Clifton! a name too big for Verse;
Fit only to describe his Herse;
Pens cannot, Trumpets should the Name reherse.
Fit only to describe his Herse;
Pens cannot, Trumpets should the Name reherse.
So ancient! some learn'd men afford
This observation on record,—
It's likely to have been the first-made word.
This observation on record,—
It's likely to have been the first-made word.
Nor at its rising hath it done
Like to the far less glorious Sun,
Rise by degrees, its very Morn was Noon.
Like to the far less glorious Sun,
Rise by degrees, its very Morn was Noon.
Tho i'th' first age It had that height;
I'th' last It does remain so bright,
As (tho revers'd) its Morning were at Night.
I'th' last It does remain so bright,
As (tho revers'd) its Morning were at Night.
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The reason is, It never shrouds
Its beams with any low-born Clouds;
This Family is only Light in crouds.
Its beams with any low-born Clouds;
This Family is only Light in crouds.
Strange! not to find one low desire!
A noble Climax! still climb higher!
The generous flame ne'r out! right Vestal Fire!
A noble Climax! still climb higher!
The generous flame ne'r out! right Vestal Fire!
Heroes are by such Matches found:
When heavenly Dew falls on right ground,
Roses and Lillies in great store abound.
When heavenly Dew falls on right ground,
Roses and Lillies in great store abound.
Unequal mixtures courser are:
Velvets appear more rich and fair
Than glitt'ring Stuffs made up of Silk and Hair.
Velvets appear more rich and fair
Than glitt'ring Stuffs made up of Silk and Hair.
Those Off-springs that are old and good,
Lose lustre, joyn'd with common blood:
The silver stream run out, nought's left but Mud.
Lose lustre, joyn'd with common blood:
The silver stream run out, nought's left but Mud.
Hence 'tis each Age they fall more low;
Their houses less and lesser Grow:
Like those of Gothland that are built of Snow.
Their houses less and lesser Grow:
Like those of Gothland that are built of Snow.
The Sun has Mists, the Moon her blots,
Venus her Moal, the Ermin Spots;
Th' Apostles Judas had, and England Scots.
Venus her Moal, the Ermin Spots;
Th' Apostles Judas had, and England Scots.
This then must be a wond'rous sight;
Strange Day! that never knew a Night;
A miracle! no Shade attends this Light!
Strange Day! that never knew a Night;
A miracle! no Shade attends this Light!
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Only some busie Pates find one;
And that because too like the Sun;
For our late Phœbus had his Phaeton.
And that because too like the Sun;
For our late Phœbus had his Phaeton.
Yet this Remark falls to his share,
His Morning did most bright appear;
Heav'n grant his Evening prove but half so fair.
His Morning did most bright appear;
Heav'n grant his Evening prove but half so fair.
But here's some comfort in the Close;
He that had much might sometimes lose:
Tho one Star fell, yet he had many rose.
He that had much might sometimes lose:
Tho one Star fell, yet he had many rose.
'Mongst which his Phospher does appear:
Bright Star! mount now thy Fathers Carr;
And may thy Beams (like his) shine long and far.
Bright Star! mount now thy Fathers Carr;
And may thy Beams (like his) shine long and far.
5.
But let us now again adjourn
The Court of our Requests; and turn
Our Thoughts once more to the great Father's Urn.
The Court of our Requests; and turn
Our Thoughts once more to the great Father's Urn.
An Urn! which precious stuff does line;
Whose Lustre does quite thorough shine;
And hereby shews the Relicks are divine.
Whose Lustre does quite thorough shine;
And hereby shews the Relicks are divine.
Could Rome but of him (as hers) vaunt,
I'th' Kalendar she would him paint,
And turn a Saint already to a Saint.
I'th' Kalendar she would him paint,
And turn a Saint already to a Saint.
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But he does no such Varnish need;
Himself did his true Glory breed,
And on its proper Substances can feed.
Himself did his true Glory breed,
And on its proper Substances can feed.
Cato the period was, and Pride
Of ancient Rome; nor is't deny'd
But that Old England too with Clifton dy'd.
Of ancient Rome; nor is't deny'd
But that Old England too with Clifton dy'd.
The Hospitality of old
(Which gave that Age the name of Gold)
He did revive, and afterwards uphold.
(Which gave that Age the name of Gold)
He did revive, and afterwards uphold.
The noble Pyles those times did rear,
Inviting Landmarks did appear,
And gave free Welcome to each Passenger.
Inviting Landmarks did appear,
And gave free Welcome to each Passenger.
Not like those, which our poor-men call
(And justly too) Mock-beggar-Hall;
Where Rats and Mice do into Famine fall.
(And justly too) Mock-beggar-Hall;
Where Rats and Mice do into Famine fall.
Their Prospects yield a false delight:
Thus Nauplius, with deceitful Light,
The Grecians did to barren Rocks invite.
Thus Nauplius, with deceitful Light,
The Grecians did to barren Rocks invite.
But Clifton gain'd no such Report;
By th' entertainment and resort,
It ought in Justice to be call'd a Court.
By th' entertainment and resort,
It ought in Justice to be call'd a Court.
Nor did his vast Revenues rise
From Rackings, worst of Tyrannies;
His Farms were Portions, and his Rents a Prize.
From Rackings, worst of Tyrannies;
His Farms were Portions, and his Rents a Prize.
He would not such hard Penn'worths let,
Like th' Tyrant Russe, who in a Pet
Took Tribute from his Subjects Rest and Sweat.
Like th' Tyrant Russe, who in a Pet
Took Tribute from his Subjects Rest and Sweat.
102
His Charity aim'd high, and true;
Not like some Great ones in our view;
He made as many, as they did undo.
Not like some Great ones in our view;
He made as many, as they did undo.
To that proud Zeal he ne're did fall,
Alms Houses build in sight of all;
For every poor man was his Hospital.
Alms Houses build in sight of all;
For every poor man was his Hospital.
Tho still his Charity aim'd high'r:
Like Moses bush, that sacred Fire
Did not consume it self, nor yet expire.
Like Moses bush, that sacred Fire
Did not consume it self, nor yet expire.
All's Neighbours he did love so well;
Although a Cedar, Truth must tell,
His drops ne're hurt the Shrubs on which they fell.
Although a Cedar, Truth must tell,
His drops ne're hurt the Shrubs on which they fell.
Amongst those Days, whose nipping pow'r
Did almost blast each hopeful Flow'r,
And verdant Tree, his Lawrels scorn'd to lour.
Did almost blast each hopeful Flow'r,
And verdant Tree, his Lawrels scorn'd to lour.
Base Actions he did so defie,
He lost what would an Earldom buy,
Rather than sell one Drachm of Loyalty.
He lost what would an Earldom buy,
Rather than sell one Drachm of Loyalty.
Let Fortune all her Ills invent;
Like true Elixir, his Intent
Improvement did receive from each Event.
Like true Elixir, his Intent
Improvement did receive from each Event.
Diamonds by darkness shew their light;
Oppress'd like Laurels, he's more straight;
A well-built-Arch is stronger by its weight.
Oppress'd like Laurels, he's more straight;
A well-built-Arch is stronger by its weight.
103
Tho Vapours clouded Britains Sky,
He, like Pythagoras's Bird, did fly
Above those Clouds, and all their Storms defie.
He, like Pythagoras's Bird, did fly
Above those Clouds, and all their Storms defie.
For all these Clouds he scorn'd to yield;
But still remain'd like his rich Shield;
A Lyon argent, in a Sable Field.
But still remain'd like his rich Shield;
A Lyon argent, in a Sable Field.
6.
After Great Brittany had mourn'd
Twelve years, her Sorrows were adjourn'd;
Her Joys again with glorious Charles return'd.
Twelve years, her Sorrows were adjourn'd;
Her Joys again with glorious Charles return'd.
When Clifton did attend his Train,
How he rejoyc'd, to find again
The ancient Glories of his Grandsire's Reign?
How he rejoyc'd, to find again
The ancient Glories of his Grandsire's Reign?
Thus Nestor's Bliss he did enjoy;
In peace his last days to employ,
After the tedious bloody Wars of Troy.
In peace his last days to employ,
After the tedious bloody Wars of Troy.
7.
But still his Warfare is not done;
There's one Fight more he cannot shun;
None truly crown'd untill that Battle's won.
There's one Fight more he cannot shun;
None truly crown'd untill that Battle's won.
This was, alas! his sharpest fight;
His Pains were a deplored sight;
But most to us, plac'd in the worser light.
His Pains were a deplored sight;
But most to us, plac'd in the worser light.
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Th' Egyptians only Darkness 'spy'd
I'th' Cloud, that was the Hebrews guide;
'Twas so to them, Light on the other side.
I'th' Cloud, that was the Hebrews guide;
'Twas so to them, Light on the other side.
Immunity's to none allow'd:
Iris, in her gay Colours proud,
Is made betwixt the Rain-bow and a Cloud.
Iris, in her gay Colours proud,
Is made betwixt the Rain-bow and a Cloud.
In's last Mile he was forc'd to stay
Turmoil'd with pains: and Church-men say
The Road to Paradise is rugged way.
Turmoil'd with pains: and Church-men say
The Road to Paradise is rugged way.
Foes crown us who are hardly bet;
And Dangers noblest Conquests get:
For Laurels flourish most when steep'd in Sweat.
And Dangers noblest Conquests get:
For Laurels flourish most when steep'd in Sweat.
Clouds could not smother all his Beams;
Most patient in his sad Extreams:
The martyr'd Saints thus smil'd amidst their flames.
Most patient in his sad Extreams:
The martyr'd Saints thus smil'd amidst their flames.
He praying paid the Debt he ow'd;
His last Breath, whence he had it, show'd;
His Ashes, like to those of Incense, glow'd.
His last Breath, whence he had it, show'd;
His Ashes, like to those of Incense, glow'd.
And now, poor Muse, close up those Eyes
Whence all thy Light and Hopes did rise:
The Sap being ta'n away, thy Laurel dies.
Whence all thy Light and Hopes did rise:
The Sap being ta'n away, thy Laurel dies.
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