ON THE MONUMENT OF THE HON. R. DIGBY AND OF HIS SISTER MARY, ERECTED BY THEIR FATHER LORD DIGBY, In the Church of Sherborne, Dorsetshire, 1727. Lover of peace, and friend of humankind! And thou, bless'd maid! attendant on his doom, Pensive hast follow'd to the silent tomb, Steer'd the same course to the same quiet shore, Yet take these tears, mortality's relief, ON SIR GODFREY KNELLER, IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY, 1723. KNELLER, by Heaven, and not a master taught, Whose art was Nature, and whose pictures thought; Now for two ages having snatch'd from Fate Whate'er was beauteous, or whate'er was great, Lies crown'd with princes' honours, poets' lays, Due to his merit and brave thirst of praise. Living, great Nature fear'd he might outvie Her works; and, dying, fears herself may die. ON GENERAL HENRY WITHERS, IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY. 1729. HERE, Withers! rest; thou bravest, gentlest mind, For thee the hardy veteran drops a tear, ON MR. ELIJAH FENTON, AT EASTHAMSTED, BERKS. 1730. THIS modest stone, what few vain marbles can, Calmly he look'd on either life, and here From Nature's temperate feast rose satisfied, Thank'd Heaven that he had lived, and that he died. ON MR. GAY. IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY, 1732. OF manners gentle, of affections mild; With native humour tempering virtuous rage, INTENDED FOR SIR ISAAC NEWTON, IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY. ISAACUS NEWTONUS, QUEM IMMORTALEM TESTANTUR, TEMPUS, NATURA, CŒLUM: HOC MARMOR FATETUR, NATURE and Nature's laws lay hid in night: God said, Let Newton be!' and all was light. ON DR. FRANCIS ATTERBURY, BISHOP OF ROCHESTER, WHO DIED IN EXILE AT PARIS, 1732. [His only daughter having expired in his arms, immediately after she arrived in France to see him.] DIALOGUE. SHE. YES, we have lived-One pang, and then we part! May Heaven, dear father! now have all thy heart. Yet, ah! how once we loved, remember still, Till you are dust like me. HE. Dear shade! I will: Then mix this dust with thine-O spotless ghost! O more than fortune, friends, or country lost! Is there on earth one care, one wish beside? Yes- Save my country, Heaven!'-he said, and died. ON EDMUND DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM, WHO DIED IN THE 19TH YEAR OF HIS AGE, 1735. IF modest youth, with cool reflection crown'd, And every opening virtue blooming round, Could save a parent's justest pride from Fate, Or add one patriot to a sinking state, This weeping marble had not ask'd thy tear, Or sadly told, how many hopes lie here! The living virtue now had shone approved; The senate heard him, and his country loved. Yet softer honours and less noisy fame Attend the shade of gentle Buckingham: In whom a race, for courage famed and art, FOR ONE WHO WOULD NOT BE BURIED IN WESTMIN- HEROES and kings! your distance keep; Who never flatter'd folks like you: ANOTHER, ON THE SAME. UNDER this marble, or under this sill, LORD CONINGSBY'S EPITAPH. HERE lies Lord Coningsby-be civil; |