192 IZAAK WALTON AND HIS FRIENDS 



But, more matur'd ; did his full soule con- 

 ceive, 

 And in harmonious-holy-numbers weave 

 A Crown of sacred sonnets, fit to adorne 

 A dying Martyrs brow : or, to be worne 

 On that blest head of Mary Magdalen . 

 After she wip'd Christ's feet, but not till then ? 

 Did hee (fit for such penitents as shee 

 And he to use) leave us a Litany, 

 Which all devout men love, and sure, it shall. 

 As times grow better, grow more classicall ? 

 Did he write Hymnes, for piety, for wit, 

 Equall to those, great grave Prudentius writ ? 

 Spake he all Languages ? knew he all Lawes ? 

 The grounds and use of Physick ; but because 

 'Twas mercenary, waived it ? Went to see 

 That blessed place of Christ's nativity ? 

 Did he return and preach him ? preach him so 

 As since S. Paul none did, none could ? Those know, 

 (Such as were blest to heare him this is truth. 

 Did he confirm thy aged ? convert thy youth ? 

 Did he these wonders ? And is this deare losse 

 Mourn'd by so few % (few for so great a crosse). 



But sure the silent are ambitious all 

 To be Close Mourners at his Funerall ; 

 If not ; in common pity they forbear 

 By repetitions to renew our care ; 

 Or, knowing, griefe conceiv'd conceal'd, consumes 

 Man irreparably (as poison's fumes 



