A funerall poem vppon the death of the late noble Earle of Deuonshyre

A Funerall Poeme vpon the Death of the late noble Earle of Deuon-shire . NOw that the hand of death hath layd thee there Where all must lie , and leuel'd thee with th' Earth , Where men are all of them alike , and where There are no seu'rall roomes for state or birth : Now thou hast nothing left thee but a name ( O noble Deuonshire ) and all is gone With thee , except the memorie , and same Of what thy vertue , and thy worth hath done : Now shall my verse which thou in life didst grace , ( And which was no disgrace for thee to doe ) Not leaue thee in the graue , that darkesome place That few regard , or haue respect vnto . Where all attendance , and obseruance ends , Where all the Sun-shine of our fauor sets ; Where what was ill , no countenance defends , And what was good , th' vnthankfull world forgets . Now shalt thou haue the seruice of my pen , ( The tongue of my best thoughts ) and in this case , I cannot be suppos'd to flatter , when I speake behinde thy backe , not to thy face . And am vntide from any other chaine Than of my loue , which free-borne draws free breath ; The benefite thou gau'st me to sustaine My humble life , I lose it by thy death . Nor was it such , as it could lay on me , Any exaction of respect , so stronge , As to enforce my obseruance beyond thee , Or make my conscience differ from my tongue . Let those be vassals to such seruices Who haue their hopes , or whose desires are hye , For me , I haue my ends , and know it is For Free-men to speake truth , for slaues to lye . And if mistaken by the Paralax And distance of my standing too farre off I heretofore might erre , and men might tax My being to free of prayses , without proofe . But here it is not so , and yet the choyce Of those I made did yeald the greatest show Of honour and of worth , and had the voyce Of present times their virtues to allow . And if they haue not made them good , it is No fault of mine , nor ought it to be layd To disrepute these my obseruances , True prayses doe adorne , the false obrayd : And oftentimes to greatnesse we are glad To attribute those parts we wish they had . But Deuonshire I here stand cleere with thee I haue a manumission to be free , I owe thee nothing , and I may be bold To speake the certaine truth of what I know , There is no power remaines in thee , to hold The tongues of men , that wil be talking now . And now being dead I may anatomise , And open here all that thou wert within , Shew how thy minde was built , and in what wise All the contexture of thy heart hath been : Which was so nobly fram'd , so well compos'd , As virtue neuer had a fairer seat . Nor could be better lodg'd nor more repos'd , Than in that goodly frame , where all thing sweet , And all things quiet , held a peacefull rest ; Where passion did no suddaine tumults raise That might disturbe her , nor was euer brest Contayn'd so much , and made so little noise , That by thy silent modestie is found The emptiest vessels make the greatest sound . For thou so well discernd'st thy selfe , had'st read Man and his smoake so well , as made the force The lesse to speake , as being ordain'd to spread Thy selfe in action , rather than discourse . Though thou hadst made a generall Suruiew Of all the best of mens best knowledges , And knew as much as euer learning knew , Yet did it make thee trust thy selfe the lesse , And lesse presume ; and yet when being mou'd In priuate talke to speake , thou didst bewray How fully fraught thou wert within and prou'd That thou did'st know , what euer wit could say . Which shew'd thou hadst not bookes as many haue For ostentation , but for vse , and that Thy bountious memorie was such , as gaue A lardge reuenu of the good , it gat . Witnesse so many volumes whereto thou Hast set thy notes vnder thy learned hand , And markt them with that print as will shew how The point of thy conceiuing thoughts did stand . That none would thinke if all thy life had been Turnd into leasure , thou couldst haue attaind So much of time , to haue perus'd and seen , So many volumes that so much containd . Which furniture may not be deemd least rare Amongst those ornaments that sweetly dight Thy solitarie wansteed , where thy care Had gathered all what hart , or eyes delight . And whereas many others haue we see All things within their Houses worth the sight , Except themselues , that furniture of thee And of thy presence , gaue the best delight . And thus was thy prouision layd within , Thus wert thou to thy selfe , and now remaines What to the world thou outwardly hast been , What the demension of that side containes . Which likewise was so goodly , and so lardge , As shew'd that thou wret borne t' adorne the daies Wherein thou liud'st , and also to dischardge Those parts which Englands , and thy fame shuld rayse . Although in peace thou seem'dst to be all peace , Yet being in warre , thou wert all warre , and there As in thy sphere , thy spirits did neuer cease To moue with indefatigable care . And nothing seem'd more to arride thy heart Nor more inlardge thee into iollitie , Then when thou sawest thy selfe in armor girt Or any act of armes like to be ny . The Belgique warre first tride thy martiall spirit And what thou wert , and what thou wouldst be found , And markt thee there according to thy merit With honors stampe , a deepe and noble wound . And that same place that rent from mortall men Immortall Sydney , glorie of the field And glorie of the Muses , and their pen , ( Who equall bare the Caduce and the Shield ) Had likewise been thy last , had not the fate Of England then reseru'd thy worthy blood , Vnto the preseruation of a State That much coucern'd her honour and her good . And thence return'd thee to enioy the blis Of grace and sauour in Elizaes eyes , ( That miracle of women ) who by this Made thee beheld , and made thee to arise Vnto a note more hye , which thou might'st well Haue farre more rays'd , had not thine enemie , Retired priuacie , made thee to sell Thy greatnesse for thy quiet , and denie To meete faire Fortune , when she came to thee . For neuer man did his preferment flie , And had it in that eminent degree , As thou , as if it sought thy modestie . For that which many , whome ambition toyles , And tortures with their hopes , hardly attaine Withall their thrust , and shouldring , plots , and wiles , Was easily made thine , without thy paine . And without any priuate malicing , Or publique greeuance , euerie good man ioy'd That virtue could come cleere to any thing , And faire deserts to be so fairely pay'd . Those benefits that were bestow'd on thee Were not like Fortunes fauours , they could see . Eliza's cleere-eyed iudgement is renown'd For making choice of thy abilitie : But it will euerlastingly redound Vnto the glorie , and benignitie Of Brittaines mightie Monarch , that thou wert By him aduanced for thy great desert , It being the fairer worke of maiestie With fauor to reward , than to employ . And as thou saidst that naught thy heart did grieue , In death so much , as that time would not yeeld Thee meanes to shew thy zeale , that thou mightst liue T' haue done but one dayes seruice in the field . And that faire bed of honour died vpon , And with thy bloud haue seald thy gratefulnesse To such a royall Maister . Who had done So much for thee t' aduance thy seruices . Which were indeed of that deseart , as they Might aske their grace themselues , although we see , That to successe deseart hath not a way , But vnder Princes that most gracious be . For when our kingdome stood in state t' haue lost The dearest purchase that it euer made , And what it bought with that exceeding cost Of bloud and charge , to keepe and to inuade : As neuer nation payd a dearer prise , For such a peece of earth , and yet well paid , And well aduentur'd for , with great aduise , And happily to our dominions layde . Without which out-let , England thou hadst bene From all the rest of th' earth shut out ; and pent Vnto thy selfe , and forst to keepe within , Inuiron'd with incroching gouernment . Where now by this , thy large imperiall Crowne , Stands boundlesse in the West , and hath a way , For noble times , least to make all thine owne That lyes beyond it , and force all t' obay . And this important peece , like t' haue beene rent From off thy state , did then so tickle stand , As that no ioynture of the gouernment But shooke , no ligament , no band Of order and obedience , but were then Loose , and in tottering , when the charge Thereof was laid on Montioy , and that other men , Checkt by example sought to put it off . And he out of his natiue modestie , ( As being no vndertaker ) labours too To haue auoided that which his abilitie , And Englands Genius would haue him to doo , And did aleadge , it was a charge vnfit , For him to vndergo , seeing such a one , As had more powre , and meanes t' accomplish it , Then he could haue , had there so little done . Whose ill successe ( for that he knew his worth So great , as if there could haue beene redresse , He had effected it ) in him brought forth Discouragement , that he should there do lesse . The state replide , it was not lookt he should Restore it wholy , being so disrent , And onely now , if possibly he could But hold it vp , it was sufficient . So that it did not fall asunder quite , Being thus dishiuerd , in a desperate plight . With courage on he goes , doth execute With Councell , and returnes with victory : But in what noble fashion he did sute This action , with what witt and industry : There is no roome to place it in this streight . Time , and my present griefes , do disappoint My willingnes . Besides being of that weight , T is sinne to place it in a narrowe point , And better now say nothing then to say But little , there remaines for this behind , A Trophey to b'erected that will stay To all posterityes , and keepe in minde , That glorious worke , which did a kingdome saue , Kept the Crowne whole & made the Peace we haue . And here I will omit to shew therefore , His management of publike bus'nesses : which oft are vnder fortunes conduct more Then ours , and tell his priuate carriages . Which on his owne discretion did rely , Where with his spirit was furnisht happely . Milde , affable , and easie of accesse He was , but with a due reseruednes : So that the passage to his fauours lay Not common to all commers , nor yet was So narrow , but it gaue a gentle way To such as fitly might or ought to passe . Nor sold he smoke , nor tooke he vp to day Commodities of mens attendances , And of their hopes , to pay them with delay , And intertaine them with faire promises . But as a man that lou'd no great commerce With bus'nesse , and with noise , hee euer flies That Maze of many wayes , which might disperse Him , into other mens vncertainties . And with a quiet calme sincerity , H'effects his vndertakings really . His tongue and heart did not turne backes , but went One way , and kept one course with what he ment . He vs'd no maske at all , but euer ware His honest inclination open fac'd , The friendships that he vow'd , most constant were , And with great iudgement , and discretion plac'd . And Deuonshire thy faith hath her reward , Thy noble friends do not forsake thee now , After thy death , but beare a kinde regard , Vnto thine honour in the Graue , and show , That worthinesse , which merits to remaine , Among th' examples of integritie , Whereby themselues no doubt shall also gaine , A like regarde vnto their memory . Now muttering enuie , what canst thou produce , To darken the bright luster of such parts , Cast thy pure stone , exempt from all abuse , Say what defects could wey downe these deserts , Summon detraction , to obiect the worst That may be told , and vtter all it can , It cannot finde a blemish to b'inforst , Against him , other , then he was a man , And built of flesh and bloud , and did liue here Within the region of infirmitie , Where all perfections neuer did appeare , To meete in any one so really , But that his frailtie euer did bewray , Vnto the world , that he was set in clay . But yet his vertues , and his worthinesse , Being seene so farre aboue his weaknesses , Must euer shine , whilst th' other vnder ground , With his fraile part , shall neuer more be found . And gratitude , and charitie I know , Will keepe no note , nor memorie will haue Of any fault committed , but will now Be pleasd , to bury all within his Graue . Seeing onely such lie euer base and low , That strike the dead , or mutter vnder-hand . And as Dogges barke at those they do not know , So they at such they do not vnderstand . The worthier sort , who know we do not liue With perfect men , will neuer be so vnkinde , They will the right to the disceased giue , Knowing themselues must likewise leaue behinde , Those that will censure them . And they know how , The Lion being dead euen Hares insult . And will not vrge a passed error now , When as he hath no party to consult . Nor tongue , nor aduocate , to shew his minde : They rather will lament the losse they finde , By such a noble member of that worth , And know how rare the world such men brings forth , For neuer none had heart more truly seru'd , Vnder the regiment of his owne care , And was more at command , and more obseru'd The coullours of that honesty he bare , Then that of his● who neuer more was knowne , To vse immodest act , or speach obscene , Or any leuity that might haue showne , The touch but of a thought that was vncleane . So that what euer he hath done amisse , Was vnderneath a shape that was not knowne , As Iupiter did no vnworthinesse , But was in other formes , not in his owne . But let it now sufficient be , that I , The last scene of his act of life bewray , Which giues th' applause to all , doth glorifie The worke . For t' is the euening crownes the day . This action of our death especially Shewes all a man . Here onely is he found , With what munition he did fortifie His heart , how good his furniture hath bene . And this did he performe in gallant wise : In this did he confirme his worthinesse . For on the morrow after the surprise That sicknesse made on him with fierce accesse , He told his faithfull friend whom he held deere , ( And whose great worth was worthy so to be ) How that he knew those hot diseases were . Of that contagious force , as he did see That men were ouertumbled Sodeinely : And therefore did desire to set a course And order t' his affaires as speedily , As might be , ere his sicknes should grow worse : And as for death , said he , I do not wey I am resolu'd and ready in this case , It cannot come t' affright me any way , Let it looke neuer with so grime a face . And I will meete it smiling , for I know , How vaine a thing all this worlds glory is . And herein did he keepe his word . Did showe Indeed as he had promised in this . For sicknesse neuer heard him grone at al , Nor with a sigh consent to shew his paine , Which howesoeuer being tiranicall , He sweetely made it looke , and did retaine A louely countenance of being well And so would euer make his tongue to tell . Although the seruor of extremity Which often doth throw those defences downe , Which in our health , wall in infirmity , And open lay more then we would haue knowne . Yet did no idle word in him bewray Any one peece of nature ill set in , Those lightnesses that any thing will say Could say no ill of what they knew within , Such a sure locke of Silent modesty Was set in life vpon that noble heart As that no anguish , nor extremity Could open it , t' impaire that worthy part . For hauing dedicated still the same Vnto deuotion , and to sacred skil , That furnish perfect held , that blessed flame Continued to the last in feruor still . And when his spirit and tongue , no longer could Do any certaine seruices beside , Euen at the point of parting , they vnfolde With feruent zeale , how onely he relide Vpon the merits of the precious death Of his redeemer , and with rapt desires H'appeales to grace . His soule deliuereth Vnto the hand of mercy and expires . Thus did that worthy , who most vertuously And mildly lind , most sweet , and mildly dye . And thus Great Patrone of my muse haue I Paid thee my vowes , and fairely cleerd th' accounts Which in my loue I owe thy memory . And let me say that herein there amounts Something vnto thy fortune , that thou hast This monument of thee , perhaps may last . Which doth not t'euery mighty man befall For lo how many when they die , die all . And this doth argue too , thy great desearts For Honor neuer brought vnworthinesse Further then to the Graue , and there it parts , And leaues mens greatnesse to forgetfulnesse . And we do see that nettles , thistles , brakes ( The poorest workes of nature ) tread vpon The proudest frames that mans inuention makes , To hold his memory when he is gone . But Deuonshire thou hast another Tombe Which is erected in a safer roome . Samuell Daniell , FINIS .