And, in their error's maze, thine own way know : Which is to live to conscience, not to show. He that, but living half his age, dies such, Makes the whole longer than 'twas given him, much. 102 CXX. EPITAPH ON S. P.," A CHILD OF QUEEN ELIZABETH'S CHAPEL. Weep with me, all you This little story; that read And know, for whom a tear you shed, Death's self is sorry. 'Twas a child, that so did thrive As Heaven and nature seemed to strive Years he numbered scarce thirteen When fates turned cruel; Yet three filled zodiacs had he been And did act, what now we moan, As, sooth, the Parcea thought him one He played so truly. So, by error, to his fate They all consented; 102 Salathiel Pavy. The subject of this beautiful epitaph acted in Cynthia's Revels and in the Poetaster, 1600 and 1601, in which [latter] year he probably died. The poet speaks of him with interest and affection, and it cannot be doubted that he was a boy of extraordinary talents.-G. But viewing him since, (alas, too late!) They have repented; And have sought, to give new birth, But, being so much too good for earth, CXXI. TO BENJAMIN RUDYERD. 103 Rudyerd, as lesser dames to great ones use, If only love should make the action prized; CXXII. TO THE SAME. If I would wish, for truth and not for show, I would restore, and keep it ever such: 103 Afterwards knighted; one of the most accomplished men of his time, a scholar, a poet, a distinguished speaker in Parliament, and the intimate friend of Pembroke.-B. CXXIII. TO THE SAME. Writing thyself, or judging others' writ, I know not which thou'st most, candor, or wit; CXXIV. EPITAPH ON ELIZABETH, L. H.104 Th' other let it sleep with death. Fitter, where it died, to tell, Than that it lived at all. Farewell. CXXV. TO SIR WILLIAM UVEDALE. 195 Uvedale, thou piece of the first times, a man Made for what nature could, or virtue can; Both whose dimensions lost, the world might find 104 The name of the lady upon whom this most exquisite epitaph was written is unknown. Jonson wished it to be concealed, and the secret seems to have been carefully kept until the means of tracing it were lost. 105 Nothing appears to be known of this gentleman's history. Gifford says he was of Wickham, in the county of Southampton. — B. Restored in thy body, and thy mind! CXXVI. TO HIS LADY, THEN MISTRESS CARY. Retired, with purpose your fair worth to praise, 'Mongst Hampton shades, and Phoebus' grove of bays, I plucked a branch; the jealous god did frown, I answered, Daphne now no pain can prove. CXXVII. TO ESME, LORD AUBIGNY? 106 Is there a hope that man would thankful be, To whom I am so bound, loved Aubigny? Into the debt; and reckon on her head 100 Brother to the Duke of Lenox, whom he succeeded in title and estate. - G. Lent timely succors, and new life begot; Roe, and my joy to name, thou'rt now to go So when we, blest with thy return, shall see Thyself, with thy first thoughts brought home by thee, We each to other may this voice inspire; This is that good Æneas, passed through fire, 107 Supposed by Gifford to be the younger brother, or cousin, of Sir Thomas Roe. See ante, p. 16. Gifford adds that this gentleman seems to have been in a mercantile or diplomatic capacity, and to have entered the profession of arms, quoting a passage from a letter of Howell's to the effect that William Roe had returned from the wars wounded in the arm, and confessing himself "an egregious fool to leave his mercership for a musket." But there is nothing in the epigram to sustain any of these suppositions. The William Roe addressed by the poet appears to have gone abroad expressly upon his travels. B. |