IV. ON JAMES CRAGGS, ESQ. In Westminster-Abbey. JACOBUS CRAGGS REGI MAGNE BRITANNIE A SECRETIS ET CONSILIIS SANCTIORIBUS, PRINCIPIS PARITER AC POPULI AMOR ET DELICIÆ: VIXIT TITULIS ET INVIDIA MAJOR ANNOS, HEU PAUCOS, XXXV. OB. FEB. XIV. MDCCXX. Statesman, yet Friend to Truth! of Soul sincere, Prais'd, wept, and honour'd, by the Muse he lov'd. THE following severe Epitaph on Mr. Craggs, a Parody on the Duke of Buckingham's, in Westminster Abbey, was written by Mr. Smith, Author of Phædra Hippolytus: M. S. JA. CRAGGS, ARM. PRO MEIS SEMPER. PRO REPUBLICA NUNQUAM. NIL DUBIUS; IMPROBUS VIXI. OPIO, OPIBUSQ. INTOXICATUS MORIOR. DUCEM MARBURIUM CREATOREM MEUM ADVENEROR. IN MAMMONE SOLO CONFIDO DEO MIHI OMNIPOTENTI. PROLEM MEAM DILECTISSIMAM SEQUOR. SPE CERTA PIUM SUNDERLANDIUM SECUTURUM EXPECTANS, DII INFERI ACCIPITE VESTROS. "An epitaph," says Dr. Johnson, "given partly in prose and partly in verse, partly' in English and partly in Latin, like that on Craggs, resembles the conversation of a foreigner, who tells part of his meaning by words, and conveys part by signs." V. INTENDED FOR MR. ROWE, IN WESTMINSTER-ABBEY. THY Relics, Rowe, to this fair Urn we trust, VARIATIONS. He altered it much for the better, as it now stands on the Monument in the Abbey, erected to Rowe and his Daughter: Thy Relics, RowE! to this sad shrine we trust, To these, so mourn'd in death, so lov'd in life! NOTES. W. Ver. 3. Beneath a rude] The tomb of Mr. Dryden was erected upon this hint by the Duke of Buckingham; to which was originally intended this Epitaph: One grateful Woman to thy fame supplies NOTES. "This Sheffield rais'd. The sacred dust below Was Dryden once: The rest who does not know?" which the Author since changed into the plain inscription now upon it, being only the name of that great poet : J. DRYDEN. Natus Aug. 9, 1631. Mortuus Maii 1, 1700. JOANNES SHEFFIELD DUX BUCKINGHAMIENSIS POSUIT. P. Ir was always understood that Pope had a sincere regard for Rowe; but the following extraordinary anecdote is related from Mr. Spence's Collections: 66 Rowe, in Mr. Pope's opinion, maintained a decent character, but had no heart. Mr. Addison was justly offended with some behaviour which arose from that want, and estranged himself from him, which Rowe felt very severely. Mr. Pope, their common friend, knowing this, took an opportunity, at some juncture of Mr. Addison's advancement, to tell him how poor Rowe was grieved at his displeasure, and what satisfaction he expressed at Mr. Addison's good fortune; which he expressed so naturally, that he (Mr. Pope) could not but think him sincere. Mr. Addison replied, 'I do not suspect that he feigned; but the levity of his heart is such, that he is struck with any new adventure; and it would affect him just in the same manner, if he heard I was going to be hanged.' Mr. Pope said, he could not deny but Mr. Addison understood Rowe well." VI. ON MRS. CORBET, WHO DIED OF A CANCER IN HER BREAST. HERE rests a Woman, good without pretence, So firm, yet soft; so strong, yet so refin’d; NOTES. Ver. 10. the Woman died.] A very pleasing picture of silent domestic virtue! |