2o6 IZAAK WALTON AND HIS FRIENDS 



And being then an object of much ruth, 



Led on by vanities, error and youth, 



Was long ere he did find the way of truth ; 



By the same clue, after his youthful swing. 

 To serve at his God's altar here you bring, 

 Where once a wanton muse doth anthems sing. 



And though by God's most powerful grace alone 



His heart was settled in religion : 



Yet 'tis by you we know how it was done ; 



And know, that having crucified vanities, 

 And fix'd his hope, he clos'd up his own eyes, 

 And then your friend a saint, and preacher, dies. 



The meek and learned Hooker too, almost 

 In the Church's ruins overwhelmed and lost, 

 Is by your pen, recover'd from the dust. 



And Herbert ; — he whose education, 

 Manners, and parts, by high applauses blown, 

 Was deeply tainted by ambition ; 



And fitted for a court, made that his aim ; 

 At last, without regard to birth or name, 

 For a poor country cure does all disclaim ; 



Where, with a soul composed of harmonies, 

 Like a sweet swan, he warbles as he dies. 

 His Maker's praise, and his own obsequies. 



