IZAAK WALTON AND HIS FRIENDS 205 



Because they show not how the Almighty's grace, 

 By various and more admirable ways, 

 Brought them to be the organs of his praise. 



But what their humble modesty would hide, 

 And was by any other means denied, 

 Is by your love and diligence supplied. 



Wotton — a nobler soul was never bred ! — 

 You, by your narrative's most even thread, 

 Through all his labyrinths of life have led ; 



Through his degrees of honour, and of arts, 

 Brought him secure from envy's venom'd darts, 

 Which are still levell'd at the greatest parts ; 



Through all the employments of his wit and spirit, 

 Whose great effects these kingdoms, still inherit ; 

 The trials then, now trophies of his merit. 



Nay, through disgrace, which oft the worthiest 



have, 

 Through all state tempests, through each wind 



and wave, 

 And laid him in an honourable grave. 



And yours, and the whole world's beloved Donne, 

 When he a long and wild career had run 

 To the meridian of his glorious sun ; 



