VIII,

On Sir GODFREY KNELLER,

In Weftminster-Abbey, 1723.

KNELLER, by Heav'n and not a Master taught,

Whose art was Nature, and whofe Pictures

Thought;

Now for two ages having snatch'd from Fate
Whate'er was beauteous, or whate'er was great,
Lies crown'd with Princes honours, Poet's lays,
Due to his Merit, and brave Thirst of praise.

Living, great Nature fear'd he might outvie
Her works; and, dying, fears herself may die.

IX.

On General HENRY WITHERS,

In Westminster-Abbey, 1729.

HERE, WITHERS, reft! thou bravest, gentlest

mind,

Thy Country's friend, but more of human kind.
Oh born to arms! O Worth in youth approv'd!
O foft Humanity, in Age belov'd!

For thee the hardy Vet'ran drops a tear,

And the gay Courtier feels the figh fincere.

WITHERS, adieu! yet not with thee remove
Thy Martial fpirit, or thy focial love!
Amidft Corruption, Luxury, and Rage,
Still leave fome ancient Virtue to our age:
Nor let us say. (those English glories gone)
The last true Briton lies beneath this stone.

X.

On Mr. ELIJAH FENTON,

At Easthamited in Berks, 1730.

THI'S modeft Stone, what few vain Marbles can, May truly fay, Here lies an honeft Man:

A Poet, bleft beyond the Poet's fate,

Whom Heav'n kept facred from the Proud and Great;
Foe to loud Praise, and Friend to learned Ease,

Content with Science in the Vale of Peace,
Calmly he look'd on either Life, and here

Saw nothing to regret, or there to fear;
From nature's temp'rate feast rose satisfy'd,

Thank'd Heav'n that he had liv'd, and that he dy'd,

XI.

On Mr. GAY,

In Westminster-Abbey, 1732.

F Manners gentle, of Affections mild;
In Wit, a Man; Simplicity, a chld:
With native Humour temp'ring virtuous Rage,
Fo m'd to delight at once and lafh the age:
A ove Temptation in a low Eftate,
And uncorrupted, ev'n among the Great:
A fafe Companion, and an eafy Friend,
Unblam'd thro' Life, lamented in thy End.
These are Thy honours! not that here thy Buft
Is mix'd with Heroes, or with Kings thy duft;
But that the Worthy and the Good fhell fay,
Striking their penfive bofoms-Here lies GAY.

Nature and Nature's Laws lay hid in Night:

GOD faid, Let Newton be! and all was Light:

XIII.

On Dr. FRANCIS ATTERBURY,

Bishop of Rochester;

Who died in Exile at Paris, 1732.

[His only daughter having expired in his arms, immediately after he arrived in France to fee him.]

DIALOGUE.

ЗНЕ.

YES, we have liv'd-one pang, and then we part!

May Heav'n, dear Father! now have all thy heart. Yet ah! how once we lov'd, remember still, Till you are dust like me.

HE.

Dear Shade! I will:

Then mix this duft with thine-O spotless Ghost!
O more than Fortune, Friends, or Country loft!
Is there on Earth one care, one wifh befide?
Yes-SAVE MY COUNTRY, HEAV'N,

-He faid, and dy'd

XIV.

On EDMUND Duke of BUCKINGHAM, Who died in the Nineteenth Year of his Age,

IF

1755

modeft Youth, with cool Reflection crown'd,
And ev'ry op'ning virtue blooming round,
Could fave a Parent's jufteft Pride from fate,.
Or add one Patriot to a finking state:
This weeping marble had not afk'd thy Tear,
Or fadly told, how many hopes lie here!
The living Virtue now had fhone approv'd,
The Senate heard him, and his country lov'd.
Yet fofter Honours, and lefs noify Fame
Attend the shade of gentle BUCKINGHAM:
In whom a Race. for Courage fam'd and Art,
Ends in the milder merit of the Heart;
And Chiefs or Sages long to Britain giv'n,
Pays the laft Tribute of a Saint to Heav'n.

XV.

For One who would not be buried in Wettmin ter-Abbey.

HEROES and KINGS your distance keep;
In peace let one poor Poet fleep,

Who never flatter'd Folks like you:
Let Horace blufh, and Virgil too...