204 IZAAK WALTON AND HIS FRIENDS 



And even, in their flowery characters, 



My father's grave, part of your friendship shares ; 



For you have honour'd his in strewing theirs. 



Thus, by an office, though particular, 

 Virtue's whole commonweal obliged are ; 

 For in a virtuous act all good men share. 



And by this act the world is taught to know, 

 That the true friendship we to merit owe 

 Is not discharg'd by compliment and show. 



But your's is friendship of so pure a kind, 

 For all mean ends and interest so refined. 

 It ought to be a pattern to mankind : 



For whereas most men's friendships here beneath, 

 Do perish with their friend's expiring breath, 

 Yours proves a friendship living after death ; 



By which the generous Wotton, reverend Donne, 

 Soft Herbert, and the Church's champion. 

 Hooker, are rescued from oblivion. 



For though they each of them his time so spent, 



As rais'd unto himself a monument. 



With which ambition might rest well content ; 



Yet their great works, though they can never die. 



And are in truth superlatively high. 



Are no just scale to take their virtues by ; 



