Classic Poem

Is Cotton dead? Then we may live to see
Wonder and Truth kisse in an Elegie:
Nor shall the chaffy Vulgar dare to laugh,
Finding no flattery in an Epitaph.
All that here Art could speak would credit have,
(Unlesse it be that he has found a Grave)
Not as Lay-Catholicks, which do conclude
Sins vertuous, 'cause Superiours do obtrude
Penal belief upon them: But as things
To which Mankind sad attestation brings,
For in what devious corner draws he breath,
That hearing shrinks not at brave Cottons death?
For whose dear sake great Nature seems to grone
And throb, as if an Element were gone.
At least he was her Index, wherein we
Her Quadripartite Treasury might see,
Veiwing in brief her Jems: For sure he knew
More Tongues than were at Babels building new:
And in so many Languages could write,
That he's learn'd now, that can but name them right.
That Rubrick Sea of Learning which do's drown
Niles rash Impostors with their puft-up Crown,
Fled before him checking her waves, and there
To his sharp judgment left her bottom bare.
These shew'd his greatnesse, that he did converse
Not with some Nations, but the Universe.
So in his life from all extracting Art,
They all in his sad losse must bear a part.
And though those hands, which had so active been
To out-do Nations, drew their vigour in,
'Twas not through want of any noble fire,
But as great Princes indispos'd retire.
Thus the not using feet of so rich price,
Shew'd how he grew a bird of Paradise,
Scorning the flag of man, till he became
Volant above in a Celestial flame;
Whose losse we all now mourn. Yet that we might
Find fair concordance 'twixt his race and flight,
Having presented rich and stately Scenes,
He scorn'd an Exit by the common means.
As Moses pray'd he dy'd, Aaron and Hur
Lifting those hands that wearied could not stir.
Or else, when he had warr'd and conquer'd all,
That subtle Schools abstruse and craggy call,
Triumph'd o're Arts, Vertues, the world and wit,
Strength, Natures weaknesse, and the clogs in it,
His own two Chaplains (to his height now grown)
Seem'd to conduct him to receive his Crown.