196 IZAAK WALTON AND HIS FRIENDS 



Learning, and Language fitly ; for these be 

 Debts due to his great Merits, but for me, 

 My aymes are like myself, humble and low 

 Too mean to speak his praise, too mean to show 

 The World what it hath lost in losing thee, 

 Whose Words and Deeds were perfect Harmony. 



But now 'tis lost, lost in the silent grave 

 Lost to us mortals, lost, 'till we shall have 

 Admission to that Kingdom, where He sings 

 Harmonious Anthems to the King of Kings. 



Sing on, blest Soul ! be as thou wast below, 

 A more than common instrument to show 

 Thy Makers praise ; sing on, whilst I lament 

 Thy loss, and court a holy discontent, 

 With such pure thoughts as thine to dwell with me, 

 Then I may hope to live, and dye like thee. 

 To live belov'd, dye mourn'd, thus in my grave, 

 Blessings that Kings have wish'd but cannot have. 



Iz. Wa. 



To THE Author upon the sight of the Fiest 

 Sheet of his Book 



(1652). 



My worthy friend, I am much pleas'd to know, 

 You have begun to pay the debt you owe 

 By promise, to so many pious friends. 

 In printing your choice Poems ; it commends 



