Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/201
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
Countess of Winchilsea
63
Whom all lament, whom liuing, all admir'd;
For in his breast, were such perfections sown,
Such numerous excellencies plac'd, 50
That every man, with different tallents, grac'd,
Found somthing that improv'd, or answer'd to his own.
He, whose lou'd Country, was his cheifest care,
Might find her very Archives there,
Her ancient Stattutes, in their first dessign,
Prerogative, and Priviledge to joyn,
The perfect draught of all-preserving Law,
(Which, whilst unbyast hands cou'd round us draw,
Rebel, nor Tyrant, cou'd encroach,
Not that aspire, nor this extend too much; 60
None, cou'd beyond his happy Limmit goe,
Not man deprav'd, nor Demon from below
Cou'd leap the hallow'd bound, or passe the magick Line)
Well did we in our far applauded Kent,
Whilst Pious, Wise, Heroick, and refin'd,
Whilst these strong Rayes, of our old Vertue shin'd,
Make him our choice, the Whole to represent;
The worthyest pattern of the publick Mind.
Who, when alas! we more Fanatick grew,
A heavyer Immage of our Country drew 70
(Like to a fault, in every altered part)
A rough ill wrought Dessign, a work of Flemish Art.
For in his breast, were such perfections sown,
Such numerous excellencies plac'd, 50
That every man, with different tallents, grac'd,
Found somthing that improv'd, or answer'd to his own.
He, whose lou'd Country, was his cheifest care,
Might find her very Archives there,
Her ancient Stattutes, in their first dessign,
Prerogative, and Priviledge to joyn,
The perfect draught of all-preserving Law,
(Which, whilst unbyast hands cou'd round us draw,
Rebel, nor Tyrant, cou'd encroach,
Not that aspire, nor this extend too much; 60
None, cou'd beyond his happy Limmit goe,
Not man deprav'd, nor Demon from below
Cou'd leap the hallow'd bound, or passe the magick Line)
Well did we in our far applauded Kent,
Whilst Pious, Wise, Heroick, and refin'd,
Whilst these strong Rayes, of our old Vertue shin'd,
Make him our choice, the Whole to represent;
The worthyest pattern of the publick Mind.
Who, when alas! we more Fanatick grew,
A heavyer Immage of our Country drew 70
(Like to a fault, in every altered part)
A rough ill wrought Dessign, a work of Flemish Art.
4
Those, whom a curious search had led
Where the fam'd Tiber, from his plenteous bed
Such frequent Treasures does unfold,
As down his Streames since Cæsars days have roled
T'ubraid new Rome, with wonders of the old,
With him their great Ideas, might renew;
Enlighten'd more, and more amaz'd
Those, whom a curious search had led
Where the fam'd Tiber, from his plenteous bed
Such frequent Treasures does unfold,
As down his Streames since Cæsars days have roled
T'ubraid new Rome, with wonders of the old,
With him their great Ideas, might renew;
Enlighten'd more, and more amaz'd