Classic Poem

F ortune , and Art , and Nature straue
To giue much more than er'e they gaue
To Him that lies heare vnderneath:
The grace of Nature, Time , and Death!
Three CROWNES were neere Him; and the forth
He might, by RIGHT, haue won by WORTH!
Which, in his youth , presag'd his spirit
Would rend, in age , from WRONG, his RIGHT!
That Spirit (like his , that's most compleat)
Sought nought but what was good and GREATE!
He soone was ripe too soone to win ,
What Time, much toyl'd , and Art drawes in
Who casts for Crownes , must haue no small
Might, right, skill, will , and Time withall:
But whose perfection Time out-goes
Winnes but LAVD'S Crowne yer life he lose!
His Gaine and Losse then, are so eu'n,
As he is pleas'd with both in Heau'n .
Teaching all Heires to CROWNES, and KINGS
To be the best of Earthly things!
Far-well (rare PRINCE!) nor Time nor Death
Shall stint thy glory with thy breath
For when, with them, lowd fame decaies,
Silence shall whisper out thy praise!