^T. 40.] LIFE OF IZAAK WALTON. xxv 



And sliow its * graceful power. I would not praise 

 That, and his vast wit (which in these vain days 

 Make many proud), but as they serv*d to unlock 

 That cabinet, his mind : where such a stock 

 Of knowledge was reposed, as all lament 

 (Or should) this general cause of discontent. 



And I rejoice I am not so severe, 

 But (as I write a line) to weep a tear 

 For his decease ; such sad extremities 

 May make such men as I write Elegies. 



And wonder not ; for when a general loss 

 Falls on a nation, and they slight the Cross, 

 God hath rais'd prophets to awaken them 

 From stupefaction ; witness my mild pen. 

 Not us'd to upbraid the world, though now it must 

 Freely and boldly, for the cause is just. 



Dull age ! Oh I would spare thee ; but th'art worse ; 

 Thou art not only dull, but hast a curse 

 Of black ingratitude; if not, couldst thou 

 Part with miraculous Donne, and make no vow 

 For thee and thine, successively to pay 

 A sad remembrance to his dying dajr? 

 Did his youth scatter Poetry, wherein 

 Was all philosophy? Was every sin 

 Character'd in his Satires? made so foul 

 That some have fear'd their shapes, and kept their soul 

 Freer 2 by reading verse? Did he give days 

 Past marble monuments to those whose praise 

 He would perpetuate? Did he (I fear 

 The dull will doubt) these at his twentieth year? 



But, more matur'd. did his full soul conceive. 

 And in harmonious, holy numbers weave 

 A Crown of sacred sonnets,^ fit to adorn 

 A dying martyr's brow ; or to be worn 

 On that blest head of Mary Magdalen, 

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

 Did he (fit for such penitents as she 

 And he to use) leave us a Litany, 

 Which all devout men love, and sure It shall. 

 As times grow better, grow more classical? 

 Did he write Hymns, for piety and wit* 

 Equal to those great grave Prudentius writ? 

 Spake he all languages? knew he all laws? 

 The grounds and use of physic, but, because 

 'Twas mercenary, waiv'd it? Went to see 

 That blessed place of Christ's nativity? 

 Did he return and preach him ? preach him so 

 As none but he did, or could do? They know 5 

 (Such as were blest to hear him know) 'tis truth. 

 Did he confirm thy aged ? convert thy youth ? 

 Did he these wonders? and is this dear loss 

 Mourn'd by so few ? {few for so great a cross.) 



But sure the silent are ambitious all 

 To be close mourners at his funeral ; 

 If not, in common pity they forbear 

 By repetitions to renew our care ; 

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

 Man irreparably (as poisou'd fumes 



I Her. 2 Safer. 



3 " La Corona," a Holy Sonnet on the Crown of Thorns, printed in Donne's Poems, 

 ed. 1633, p. 28, and commencing thus : 



"Deign at my hands this Crown of prayer and praise." 



♦ For piety, for wit, 



5 As since St Paul none did, none could ! those know 

 (Such as were bl^st to hear htm) this is truth. 



