PREFACE, 



churchmen with whofe friendfhip he was favoured 

 in youth, and teaching his young brother-in-law, 

 Thomas Ken, to walk in their faintly footfteps, 

 — now bufy with his rod and line, or walking and 

 talking with a friend, ftaying now and then to 

 quafF an honeft glafs at a wayfide ale-houfe — 

 leading a fimple, cheerful, blamelefs life 



*' Thro' near a century of pleafant years." * 



* *' Happy old man, whofe worth all mankind knows 



Except himfelf, who charitably fhows 



The ready road to Virtue, and to Praife, 



The road to many long, and happy days ; 



The noble arts of generous piety. 



And how to compafs true felicity. 



he knows no anxious cares, 



Thro' near a Century of pleafant years ; 



Eafy he lives and cheerful fhall he die. 



Well fpoken of by late pofterity." 

 June 5, 1683. 

 {¥latmaiis Commendatory Verfes prefixed to " Thealma and 



Clearchus ; " Poems and Songs by Thomas Flatman, Third 



Edition,^ 



We 



