^,T. 80.] LIFE OF IZAAK WALTON. bcxxiii 



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; 



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 I — 

 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 Dopne, 

 When he a long and wild career had run 

 To the meridian of his glorious sun ; 



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 reli^^ion : 



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 with 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. 



