The muses thankfulnesse, or A funerall elegie, consecrated to the perpetuall memory of the late all-honourable, and all-noble lord, Robert, Baron Spencer, of Wormleighton, &c.

The Muses Thankfulnesse CAnst thou depart and be forgotten so , As if thou hadst not beene at all ? O no , But in dispite of death the world shall see , The Muses which much Honour'd were by thee , Can blacke obliuion , vtterly out braue , And set thee vp aboue thy scilent graue , For Time , nor Age , nor yet can Death , or Fate Confine thy Fame to an expiring date ; Since all they can do , is to kill thy Eearth : Whose Dust wip'd of thy Soule , a second Birth , Regenerates the honour of thy Acts Vnto Eternitie . He that detracts The dead Mans good , defames his owne intent ; And makes obscured vertues , eminent . But ( Noble Lord ) this Monument they raise , With vncorrupted purpose to thy praise . All that they speake , is vnexacted , true and free ; Drawne clearely from vnalter'd certaintie . Sith that the hand of death hath laid thee there Where men are all of them a like , and where All men in time must lye , eu'n in the earth , Where are no seuerall roomes for State or Birth , Death hauing left thee nothing , but a Name In mens remembrances , meerly the same . Of what thy vertue and thy worth hath done Renowned Spencer each thing else being gone . Now must the Muses thou wert wont to grace , Now leaue thee in thy graue that darkesome place , That few regard or haue respect vnto ; At least ( if that at all ) they faintly do . Where all attendance and obseruance ends , Where what was ill no countenance deffends ; And what was good th'vnthankfull world forgets , Where all the Sunshine of our fauour sets : Here shalt thou haue the seruice of their pen , They cannot be supposd to flatter , when They speake behind thy backe , not to thy face There 's no disimulation in this case . What benefit thou yeeld'st , them to sustaine , That haue they lost by this thy death againe ; Yet ( notwithstanding ) thy great courtesie , Cannot enforce obseruance beyond thee , Who haue their hopes , or whose desires are hye , Let those dissemble , they konw how to lye And fawne like vassals , with such seruices , Muses seeke not the meritlesse to please . And if mistaken by the paralax And distance of my standing , men did tax Me heretofore , that ayming too farre off , I was too free of praises without proofe , But here it is not so ; and yet the choyce Of those that I did make , had the free voyce Of present times , their vertues to alow , For all of them did make a currant show ; And if they faild in substance , yet it is No blemish to my faire obseruances ; Nor can it as a fault to me be layd , True praises do adorne , the false obray'd ; And oftentimes to greatnesse we are glad To attribute those parts we wish they had . But noble Spencer , I stand cleare with thee , I haue a manumission to be free Vnder correction , here I may make bold , To speake the certaine truth . Thou canst not hold Mens tongues , who hearing thou deceased art , Of thy past life , their censure will impart . Here fairely will I thee anatomise , Shew how thy minde was built , and in what wise ; And freely open what thou wert within , What the contexture of thy heart hath beene , Which was so nobly fram'd , so well compos'd , That vertue neuer was so well repos'd Then , in that goodly frame , that most faire seat , When all things quiet , and when all things sweet , Had a most peacefull and a blessed rest , Without disturbance ; nor was euer brest , So free from passion that migbt tumults raise , Though in thy praise wert mute , and add'st no noise ; Yet by thy silent modesty is found , The emptiest vessels make the greatest sound . And as dogges barke at those they doe not know ; So the base people , whose condition 's low , Will slander thee , and mutter vnder-hand , And censure things they doe not vnderstand : The worthier sort , who know we doe not liue With perfect men ; to the deceased giue Iust commendations , and are not vnkinde , Knowing themselues must likewise leaue behinde Those that will censure them , and they know how T' excuse , not vrge , a passed errour now ; They haue more modesty then to insult When as thou hast no party to consult , No tongue , no aduocate to shew thy minde , They rather will lament the losse they finde , By such a noble member of that worth ; Knowing , how rare the world such men brings forth . E're may his name , his fame , and vertues shine , That we may imitate his worth Diuine , Like vnto him win action to our will ; Not to doe good , we know is to doe ill : His faith was not a dead or idle thing , But faith in heart , fruits from his hands did bring ; But from his faith , of all good deeds the cause , And from his due obseruing of the Lawes Diuine , in which he did beyond compare excell ; Let vs proceede , his other gifts to tell : Beames that shall breake forth from his hollow Tombe , Shall staine times past , and light the Times to come . YE Thrice three Sisters , which do rest vpon Pernassus hill , and drinke of HELICON ; Which round about that sacred Spring do sit , Well weigh your losse , and sadly mourne for it ; Double your Lachrimas , augment your moane , For greater cause of griefe was neuer knowne ; Since that your worthy and best Patron 's dead , Teares too profusely you can neuer shed ; Looke not in Citie , Court or any place To haue your old respect and former grace : Now gentle bloud , in Fancies schoole vptrain'd , Learning to be ignoble haue maintain'd . And now the Nobles which incouraged those , Which were bright wisdom's friends , darke errors foes ; Are so farre from affording former grace , They hold the Poets and Muses , but as base Beggars , or else farre worse , the sorrow shew When as you loose your friends you haue so few . Thy Loue ( braue Spencer ) hath his iust reward ; Thy noble friends bare thee a kinde regard After thy death , nor doe forsake thee , now Thy honour's coffer'd in the graue , but show That worthinesse , which merits to remaine Liuely examples , doubtlesse they shall gaine A like regard vnto their memory , For this their absolute integritie : Cause the praise-worthy Actions , These haue wrought , ( Till the world fabrique be to Chaos brought ) To liue perpetuall in each ages Story , As the due trophies of their deserued Glory . For though sterne Death hath borne away this Prize Whose worth the poore World scarse can equalize , Yet doth He liue , although depriude of breath , Saincted in Heauen , and renownde on Earth . Most Sacred be thy memory , outwasting All Genealogies : and Euer-lasting , Whilest there be Elements , Starre , Orbe , or Spheare , Dayes Sunne , or Nights Moone , to direct the Yeare : Whilst there be seasons nam'd , Autumne or Spring ; Ought being , or , what may be calld a thing : Nor is He dead , let that our Comfort be , Death 's like the Basiliske , if he first see , The Obiect perisheth : but being espide , Falls : He saw Death first , Killd Him ; so Death Dyde , And He still liues in glory , why should then Teares , Sighes , or the least griefe afflict vs , when All are most Confident , He is now possest Of what we yet but ayme at , Heauenly rest : Or if you needs will his sad death Deplore , Know , no Laments , can Him that s dead restore . Supprime iam Lacrymas non est reuocabilis istis Quem semel vmbrifera , Nauita vin●re tulit , Nam Rigidum Ius est , & Ineuitabile Mortis . Yet what is he that can a Sonne perswade From Teares , when he beholds his Father laid In his cold Sepulcher : or a Mother drye Her moistned Cheekes , and instantly apply Her selfe to laughter ; when before her face She breathlesse sees , the Hope of all her Race . But though mankind Contend aboue their force , Teares still will finde their vent , and Griefe his course . Since life then so vncertaine is and fraile , That like vnskilfull Marriners we saile Through vnknown Seas : and quick-Sands euery where Shallowes and Rockes , and know not how to steare A desperate Course , ere we in Peeces shake Our Crazed Bottoms ; This short Counsell take , Twixt Hope , Care , Feare and Passion which thou hast , Thinke euery Houre before thee is thy last . So by this meanes for all thy after deeds , Th' art bound vnto each Minute that succeeds , All sublinary things , their beings woe , To future Ruine : nothing said to grow But being once ripe to fall . when we begin Once to be tainted with Originall sinne , The very first Houre of our earthly strife , Doth take an Houre off , from our future life . Laeta sit ista dies nescitur origio secundi An labor , an requies , sic transit gloria Mundi . And Wisdome saith , This Worlds felicitie , Truely examin'd is but Vanitie . How quickly doe all earthly ioyes decay , Forsaking their possessors ; In a day , An houre , a minute , hard misfortunes fall , Which from our mirth doe vnto mourning call ? O let our Muses teares without all end From th'inexhausted fountaines still descend . Sith 't is most true , this age is vaine and strange , Time comes by turnes with vnexpected change : Behold Great men of fame and Rich renowne , Death in their highest Honor , Puls them Downe . Then what are we , but fooles of selfe-Conceit ; All what we haue , stands in a stagg'ring state . We weeping come into this world of Cares , Scarse is our Prime , when wintring Age declares What weightie griefe , our body doth oppresse , When all our life 's but battels of distresse , Bred with sinne , borne with woe , our life is paine Which still attends vs , to our Graue againe , Then Earthly slime , wherein consists thy pride ? In that faire Bed of wormes where thou must bide ? Oh! know that Glory goes into the ground , That thy faire face most filthy shall be found . Our Sunne-shine ioyes , Time swiftly sweepes away This night we liue , and dye before the day . But why should Stags or Rauens liue so long ? Why should not rather , that their age belong Vnto a righteous man , whose length'ned yeares Might assist our necessities , and feares ? For sauage Death hath ransaked that brest , Where a large Treasury of wit did rest . What 's Gentry then ? what 's Noblesse ? Greatnes what ? The Ciuill Purple , or the Clergy Hatt ? The Coronet , or Miter ; Nay the Crowne Imperiall ? What is Potencie , Renowne ? Ouations , Triumph , or the Conquering Bayes , Wisedome or Wealth ? Can these add to thy Dayes A Minute ? No , a suddaine chance will fall , Which from thy Mirth will thee to Mourning call . Inquire of Roman Brutus surnam'd Iust , Or Salomon the wise , they both are dust : Learned Aristotle , Plato the Diuine , From Earth they came , and Earth , they now are thine . Where are the Worthies ? where the Rich , or Faire ? Where now the Poore , or the Deformed are ? Differing in Life , in Death they are the same , And though vnequall Tombes , haue equall Fame . What attributes may we to Homer giue , And other Poets ; by whom all These liue : Who as their putred flesh is long since rotten ; So in their obscure Graues had lyen forgotten Like common men : Had not their Muse high flying , Kept both these Worthyes , & themselues from dying . We see the Conquerors with the Captaines spread , And lodgde in earth , as in the common bed . The All-commanding Generall hath no spanne Of Earth allowde , more then the common man . Folly with Wisedome hath an equall share , The Faire and Foule , alike Intombed are . This is of all mortalitie the end , Thirsites with Naereus dares contend : And with Achilles , he hath equall place , That liuing durst not looke him in the face . The Seruant with his Master , and the Maide With her proud Mistresse , both their heads are layde Vpon an equall Pillow . Subiects keepe Like Courts with Kings : I , and as softly sleepe , Resting their heades vpon a Turfe of Grasse , As they on Marble , or on figured Brasse : Blind Homer in the Graue lyes doubly darke , Against him now base Zoylus bares not barke . Be this then no small comfort vnto you , The Gentry , and Nobilitie , that knew This Great mans worth , his Wisedome , Valour , Pietie , Zeale to the sacred Trine , the Vnite Deitie : For though his body be confinde to dust . His Soule still liues amonst the best . The Iust Before remembred , with the Valiant , Wise , And such as stroue all goodnesse to Comprise . He was possest of much , and in full measure , Did in his Bosome Thousand Vertues Treasure , Which on this Earth he did but put to Loane , Glories for Vertues , he hath ten to one . Being like an Orenge tree , on which was seene Still fruit though gather'd , yet some likewise greene . Nor let such as Lament him , blame the Fates , Be they the Commons , Gentry , or the States , That want his Noble wisedome to assist In Counsels , by which Common-weales exist , And haue their flourishing being , blaming Time , That snatch from them a Father , in his prime ; Rarely compleate : For let all men knowe , He onely payd a debt which he did owe To God and Nature : Nor can frailtie , sinne Transgresse those limits we are bounded In. He 's free from Care , with which this Earth is fraught , And Pale-fac't Death hath Life vnto him brought . This sure he knew full well , or else more feare Would haue possest him , when as Death did teare , His Soule out of his Pious holy brest But he did know it was the way to rest . Ills that with Wisedomes eye we doe foresee , We doe much feare when they approaching be . The Man that surely knowes the Theefe will come Doth fortifie the doores to euery roome . And thus with Weapons , and with Wals made strong , Feares not the Thiefe , cause him he cannot wrong . Thus it did fare with him , Hee was prepar'd For comming Death , and therefore was not scar'd : He was no whit afraid , for he did know , Death could not wound , but cure him with his blow . Hee did with faithfull Eyes his Name behold , Which was in the blest Booke of Life inrold ; And then his Contemplation higher flying , He fear'd not Death , nor was afraid of Dying : No more then is the Prisoner strongly guarded , That hopes with freedome to be soone rewarded . So was it with his Soule , when Death drew neere , It rather filled was with Ioy , then Feare . Not one whit loath her Prison to forsake , Her flight to Heauen , vnto her GOD did take .

This little Moment of our life is the short space whereon dependeth all Eternitie of Eternall ioyes or else Eternall paines . When we rise in the Morning what know we the chance that will befall vs before night . And if wee escape the Dayes perill , what will happen before the Morning . Therefore when we go to Bed , we should remember how that it is the very Image of our Graues ; the Triumph , State and Traine of a Great man is parted the Day being gone , and the Night come all His rioting and banqueting is finished , and He in a Solarie Retreat , puts off his Gorgeous Apparell , and strips himselfe naked to his shirt : So the pleasure of this Inconstant World shall passe , The Mightiest and richest of this World shall shall be stripp'd naked of all his Glories . Vanities and Riches . Hee shall carrie nothing with him but a simple Winding-sheet , more then the poorest and abiect fellow .

Let vs therefore with the depth of our Hearts Repent ▪ and thinke how the Axe is laid to the root of the Tree ; When with an vnfained remorse , our Hearts shrils within vs , with angry griefe against our selues , then we may be assured that the Spirit of God workes in vs : it is a signe of true Repentance , when the Sinner ( without Hypocrisie ) mends his wicked life , making first satisfaction to his Creator , by Fasting and Praying ; Restitution to his Neighbor in giuing to the Poore for Christs cause ▪ Visiting the Sicke , comforting and helping the afflicted Prisoner , giuing Hospitality & countenance to the Distressed Stranger . For , in the poorest wretch and most miserable Creature , the Highest and most Fortunate , doth see himselfe and his Humanitie , perfectly as in a true Glasse . Thus , our Mercy sh●● I giue vs security of our Soules health , our Charitie and Almes will meet vs , and make our End most happy .

For as the Stone doth to the Center hast ; Or as the Hare doth ioy when Hounds bepast ; Or as the Eagles to the Corps doe flye : So did his Soule to God , when he did dye , Death seem'd not gastly to his Ghostly Spright , Cause while he liu'd , he did in Death delight . The stroke and strength of Death he often try'd , For in his Holy Life he daily dy'd . He likewise knew that Death was but a droane , Because he saw the sting of it was gone . His Faith's eye saw One , hanging on a Tree , By whose great power Death seemed dead to be . He knew Christ so , Death by his death did mend . He made it his last Foe , and his first Friend . For as Physitians poysonous Vipers beat , Till they their Venome voyd , then healthfull meat Doe of the flesh compose : so thou oh Lord , Dost to thy sacred Saints , this blisse afford , That grisly Death should not cause sad annoy , Vnto thy Members , but bring heau'nly Ioy . For when his Soule , had this Earths lumpe forsooke It , by the swift wingd Posts of Heauen , is tooke . Christs All-delightfull presence to behold , Which euer liues , and yet is neuer old . This made him like a patient Lambe to lye , And breath forth nought but blis , when he did dye . And when from sight of Earth , his Lights shut were , The blessed Land did to 's Soul's eyes appeare . When Death closing his lips forbade to speake , In silence He his minde to God did breake . And when Death had extinguisht Natures fire , His Soule was free , and had her blest dehre .

For as Saint Chrysostome saith , That the end of the Labourer is sweet , when hee resteth from his Labours . So the wearied Traueller , longeth for his Nighes lodging , and the Storme-beaten Ship seeketh vp for Shore . The Hireling oft questioneth when his yeare will finish and come out . The Woman great with child will often muse and study vpon her deliuery : Euen so , doth he that perfectly knowes that his death is but a way to liue , And he that considers truely how that this Transitory life is but as a swift Post to Death : Like an Impetuous Riuer which hasteth to the Sea ( for so do we , which are Earth , speedily returne to Earth ) will sit on the doore Threshold , with the poore Prisoner , who greedily expecting when the Gaolor shall open the doore : euery small motions makes him hope , that death is approaching to deliuer him out of paine and misery , in taking him from this valley of Teares . He lookes for Death without feare , and desires it with affection , and expecting it with great Deuotion , He acteth the last part of his sore afflicting Life in this world . His gesture and end thirles the beholders eyes with sad compassion : His words of woe , seasoned with sighes , doth bath the Cheeks of the Hearers with still distilling Teares : with weeping eyes he cals for helpe of Prayer , and like a Hunger-starued Begger he howles and cries to that All-incomprehensible Housholder . Saying :

O My God ( All-lust , yet All-Mercifull ) Open the Gates of thine infinite Mercie to the greatnesse of my Miseries : Cast vp the Ports of thy vnspeakable Pittie , to my wearied Spirit ; Receiue my Soule into thy hands , and annoint her Festred wounds , with the Bloud of thy Immaculate Lambe , Christ Iesus . Amen .

Mans life 's a Goale , one Death th'end of that Race , But thousand by-paths lead vnto the place ; From th' east , the West , the South , the North , all come , Some slowe , some swift pac'd to this Generall doome . These by the Warres fall , these the Seas deuoure : Certaine is Death , vncertaine most the houre . Some dye of Ioy , others with Griefe expire , Beneath cold Artos some , others by Fire , The Torrid Zone casts , forcing them to indure The mad Infection , call'd the Callenture . Some the Spring challengeth , and some the Fall , Winter and Summer others : but Death all . Diseases infinite haunt man alone , Cold Aches , Feauers , the Apoplex , the Stone , The Winde , the Gowt , the Crampe , the Dropsie : these , Palsies and Aches on our Bodies ceaze . But Surfets most , which as Physicians say , Haue in the World , of Men beene more decay , Then ( if I may take a great Artists word ) Haue dyed by Plague , by Famine , or the Sword . This Heauen permits , and how may then poore man Contest against it ; none so weake but can Take from his owne and others sundry wayes , But yet not adde one Minute to their dayes , He fell by no such Riots or Excesse , But was Abstinious , one that did professe A moderate Diet , with such Temperature , As almost might , Health with long life assure ; For in Sobriety he did excell , And alway did demeane himselfe right well . A longer course of life he might haue runne , And to this Land might more good turnes haue done , He might haue bin the ornament of Court , The subiect of farre honored report ; But though he be extinct , yet shall his name Be still preserued by long-liued Fame . Though that faire Vertues worthy louers dye , Their memories suruiue eternally . Although Times stealing reuolutions passe , And eating Age consumes the strongest Brasse : Yet generous acts , and vertues of the minde An honourable fresh remembrance finde . He was the patterne of a perfect man , His singular endowments euer wan A generall liking and a full applause , For his vpright sincerenesse in each cause : By rule of Scripture he his deeds did square , And to obserue the golden meane tooke care : His Minde was like an Empire , rich and strong , In all defensiue pow'r against the wrong , That ciuill tumult or inuasiue Hath Might raise against the peace of her estate . It was a plentifull and fertile ground , Wherein all needfull riches did abound . Labour increas'd what natiuely was bred : No part was barren , or ill husbanded . And with the paines of Industry and wit , In little time , He made such Benefit , Of Conuersation ( the Commerce of Mindes ; ) That what his hable obseruation findes In other knowledges of vse , and good , Which in his owne was yet not vnderstood ; Through this rich trade ( whereby all good is knowne ) Conuerts them home , and plants them in his owne . Which was so sweet and temperate a seat , Without th'extremities of cold or heat ; That it could easily it selfe apply To eu'ry vsefull Nature , properly . And so did yeeld such prosperous increase Of vertues qualifi'd for warre and peace : That not a Mind wherewith He did conferre , Could vtter speech of that particular , Though in the wayes which other men profess'd ; Wherewith his vnderstanding was not bless'd . And whatsoeuer He deliuer'd forth In serious things , was of a Solid worth ; Commodiously materiall ; Full of vse ; And free from ostentation and abuse . And as that Empire of his minde was good ; So was her state as strong wherein she stood . Her scituation most entirely lay Within it selfe , admitting not a way , Nor any open place , infirme or weake , By which offensiue purposes might breake Into her gouernment ; or haue accesse Through the most familiar passages That led vpon him , vnder faire pretence , Without discouering they ment offence , Before it was too late to giue retreate To their proceedings . Nor could any heate Or violence of such inuasion , make His passions mutin ' ; or his powr's forsake Their proper places . Nothing could disband The strength and order of his mind's command , For neuer mind her nature better knew ; Or could obserue a discipline more due To such a Nature ; or was fortified With workes were more ingeniously applied , To answere all attempts and iniuries , In their owne kinde and seuerall qualities . And in that scope , ( offences to auoide ) The vse of all those forces was employde . He put not on those popular aspects , Which Greatnesse oft obsequiously affects , To winne the vulgar fancie . For he knew , That humour would distract him from the true And faithfull Course wherein he should attend The publique seruice ; to a priuate end . And with too easie and familiar sence Make Fauour apprehended . And dispence With such neglect of dutie as proceeds From that presumption which remisnesse breedes . But gaue himselfe vnto the publique cause ; And in the due performance of her Lawes , His studies are to publike good dessign'd ; Nor giuen , nor forc'd , to any other end . He was not of that soft and seruile mould , That all impressions takes , and none doth hold ; But his owne Reason in himselfe did raigne ; What she inspir'd , he firmely did retaine . He could not flatter Greatnesse ; Zanie humours ; Or be obsequious to aswage the Tumours That in corrupted mindes did rise and swell Against him : But did residently dwell Vpon the purpose of a true intent ; In whose successes he was confident . And could worke wayes to prosperous euents ; Aswell in vnexpected accidents , As things proiected and premeditate . In Counsell , he was of so temperate And free a Mind , that Reason in his Soule , Like an Imperiall presence , did controule And scilence all those passions that haue force To interrupt the passage of discourse . While to the cleare and vneclipsed eye , Of his strong intellectuall faculty , His well informed knowledge did present The state and nature of the Argument : The parts , th'entire , and eu'ry circumstance That was contingent , or had reference Materiall to the thing consulted on . Which when his free discourse had pass'd vpon ; His iudgement in conclusion did lay ope The waies , the meanes , he reasons , and the scope , What , how , whereby , and when , and where to doe ; And eu'ry due respect annex'd vntoo , With such demonstratiue and pregnant force ; That , practise without speculatiue discourse ; Nor speculation without practise tried ; Nor both , without great prudence amplified , To know their vses and apply them well ; To his aduise , could make a Paralell . There is no man , though he before were glad , But when he thinks that we this Hero had , And now haue lost him , Though he be diuine Made by his death , yet will his eyes drop brine ; All them that knew him well doe weepe their turne , All in their hearts , though not in habits mourne , But for themselues , not him , let them lament , Whose happinesse is growne their punishment . Me thinks I see all Arts doe hang their head , Euen since the mournfull minute he was dead , For he himselfe was Learnings Lampe , and lent Fauour to such as were to studie bent , He to Religious Pastors was a shield , And vnto them encouragement did yeeld , He would accept the offering of their Quill , Not with a loathnesse , as against his will , But with much affability , and then He was exceeding liberall to those men , In whom he found true Schollership and wit . Which fairely testified he valu'd it . Milde , affable , and easie of accesse He was , but with a due reseruednesse ; So that the passage to his fauour lay , Not common , yet it gaue a gentle way , To such as fitly might , or ought to passe : And such his custome and his manner was . Commodities he tooke not vpon day , Nor made them lose their gaines by long delay : He entertaind them not with promises ; Nor lou'd he poore mens sad attendances : He was a man that lou'd no great commerse With businesse , fearing that it might disperse Him , into other mens vncertainties , Whose giddy headed buzings , he still flyes , And with a quiet calme sincerity , H'effects his vndertakings really ; His tongue and heart , did ne're turne backe , but went One way , and kept one course , with what he ment . The friendships that he vow'd , most constant were , He vsd no maske at all , but alwayes ware His honest inclination open fac'd , With iudgement were his deepe affections plac'd . He was descended from illustrious blood , And by his nature he was truly good ; His Enemies ( if Enemies he had ) Cannot reproue him of ought that was bad . Ther 's neuer any had a heart lesse sweruing , Nor was at more command , most truly seruing Vnder the regiment of his owne care And colours , of that honestie he bare Then that of his , who neuer more was knowne To vse immodest act that might haue showne The touch , but of a word that was obseane , Or cogitation any way vncleane . All which , if that they can to glory raise , And being knit to one , can merit praise In after-times , then iustly may I say , No name is like to liue a longer day . The many houres vntill the day of doome Will not his datelesse memory consume . He leaues a deathlesse memory and Fame , To be an Honor to the Spencers Name And Family , from whence he had descent , Which by his Worth he made more eminent ; His corps return'd to earth from whence it came But from his acts doth rise his worthy fame . Immortall man , whose name shall neuer dye ; But shall suruiue to all eternitie How can the memory of such a spirit , Whose deeds of very Enuy got his merit , Euer forgotten be ? whom to iust praise The worthy actions of his life did raise . All you the Worthies of our present dayes , Whose iudgement and experience knew his wayes Conuersed with his actions and intents , In priuate and in publike managements ; To your true vnderstandings it is knowne , That he might claime all honors for his owne . But what 's on earth Perdurable ? If Fame , Honour , Reuenewe , if Charitie , good Name , Grace , Fauour , Merit , ( for in him was lost Nothing of which Mortalitie can boast ) If any one of these , or All , could haue Reprieu'd this Worthy , from a time-lesse Graue : He that 's falne thus lowe , still high had stood , Since all perfections did inrich his blood . Vnto what Key shall I my dull Muse raise , To Commend Him , that farre exceeds all Praise . What I but onely striue at , had I done , I should but light a Taper 'fore the Sunne , Burning a Lampe at midday , and still owe The Dead , but speaking that which all men know . For sith this Worthy , did deserue to be Plac'd in the highest skye , from thence to see The deeds of wretched mortals , being blest And free from miseries which men molest : I , then to Immortalitie , to rest , To that High place prepared for the Blest , Before the First of Dayes , His Glorious Soule I will bequeath ( there amongst Saints to Inrowle ) His Memory in this Regenerate Birth , And what from Earth first came againe to Earth . Now muttering enuy , what canst thou produce ? ( Cast thy pure stone exempt from all abuse ) How canst thou cloud the luster of these parts ? Say , what defects could weigh downe such deserts ? Summon detraction to obiect the worst , It cannot finde a blemish to be'nforc'd ( Though spitefully it vtter all it can ) Against him other then he was a man , And build of flesh and bloud , and did liue here Where all perfections neuer did appeare To meet with any one so really , Within the region of infirmitie : For though his frailtie euer did bewray Vnto the world that he was set in ●●lay ; Yet his true 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 . His Monument , while History doth last , Shall neuer be forgotten , or defac'd . FINIS .