University of Virginia Library

Epilogue spoken at the Westminster-Meeting in the Year. 1732–3.

Of old the Romans acted Comic Plays,
As well on Funeral as on Festal days;
And here, though Mirth should all our Souls employ
And our glad Genius give a loose to Joy,
Grief still intrudes, since He must disappear
Whose mourn'd departure claims a duteous Tear;
Beneath whose Care these Walls compleated rose,
Whose Art each secret grace of Terence shows;
A glory Roman Ædiles never knew,
To build their Theatres and Actors too.
How ancient Bards and Orators could soar
Much taught his Precepts, his Example more;
Oft as th' Election's yearly Feast displays
His weight of Sense and Elegance of Phrase,
Rapid yet pure the torrent pours along,
Smooth as the Roman, as the Grecian strong.

---

307

Let neighb'ring Tombs his matchless Wit declare,
More worth than all the mould'ring Sculpture there,
That bids the buried live, by skill refin'd
In each distinguish'd Feature of the mind.
From whence ev'n South still brighter finds his Name,
And his own Busby deigns to borrow fame.
What Scholar grateful found and great as Friend,
His Worth to future ages shall commend?
Not Busby's self in equal height maintain'd
The School, where half a Century he reign'd.
Daily through Freind her swelling numbers rose,
The hate, but more the envy of her Foes.