VIII.

On Sir GODFREY KNELLER,

K

In Westminster-Abbey, 1729.

NELLER, by Heav'n and not a Master
taught,

Whose Art was Nature, and whofe Pictures Thought;
Now for two ages having fnatch'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.

VER. 7.

Imitated from the famous Epitaph on Raphael.

Raphael, timuit, quo fofpite, vinci

Rerum magna parens, et morienti, mori.

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IX.

On General HENRY WITHERS,

In Westminster-Abbey, 1723.

ERE, WITHERS, reft! thou bravest, gentlest mind,

HER

Thy Country's friend, but more of human kind.
Oh born to Arms! O Worth in Youth approv'd!
O foft Humanity, in Age belov'd!

For thee the hardy Vet'ran drops a tear,
And the gay Courtier feels the figh fincere.
WITHERS, adieu! yet not with thee remove
Thy Martial spirit, or thy Social love!
Amidst Corruption, Luxury, and Rage,
Still leave fome ancient Virtues to our age:
Nor let us fay, (thofe English glories gone)
The laft true Briton lies beneath this stone.

X.

On Mr ELIJAH FENTON,

At Eafthamfted in Berks, 1730.

THIS

HIS modeft Stone, what few vain Marbles can,

May truly fay, Here lies an honest Man:

A Poet, bleft beyond the Poet's fate,

Whom Heav'n kept facred from the Proud and

Great:

Foe to loud Praife, and Friend to learned Eafe,

Content with Science in the Vale of Peace.

Calmly he look'd on either Life, and here

Saw nothing to regret, or there to fear;
From Nature's temp'rate feast rose satisfy'd,

Thank'd Heav'n that he had liv'd, and that he dy’d.

XI.

On Mr GAY,

In Westminster-Abbey, 1732.

F Manners gentle, of Affections mild;

In Wit, a Man; Simplicity, a Child:
With native Humour tempʼring virtuous Rage,
Form'd to delight at once and lash the age:
Above Temptation, in a low Eftate,
And uncorrupted, ev'n among the Great:
A fafe Companion, and an eafy Friend,:
Unblam'd thro' Life, lamented in thy End.
These are Thy Honours! not that here thy Bust
Is mix'd with Heroes, or with Kings thy duft;
But that the Worthy and the Good shall say,
Striking their penfive bofoms-Here lies GAY.

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VER. 12. Here lies Gay.] i, e. in the hearts of the good and worthy.

XII.

Intended for Sir ISAAC NEWTON,

In Westminster-Abbey.

ISAACUS NEWTONUS:

Quem Immortalem

Teftantur Tempus, Natura, Cœlum:

Mortalem

Hoc marmor fatetur.

Nature and Nature's Laws lay hid in Night:
GOD faid, Let Newton be! and all was Light.