Classic Poem

On the Death of Sir Bevile Grenvile.

To build upon the merit of thy Death ,
And raise thy Fame from thy expiring Breath ,
Were to steal Glories from thy Life , and tell
The World, that Grenvil only did dye well.
But all thy Dayes were fair, the same Sun rose,
The Lustre of thy Dawning , and thy Close .
Thus to her Urn th' Arabian wonder flyes,
She lives in Perfumes , and in Perfumes dyes:
E're stormes, and tumults (Names undreaded here)
Could in their Bloome and Infancy appeare;
He in the stock and treasure of his mind
Had heaps of Courage, and just heat combin'd.
Where, like the thrifty Ant, he kept in store
Enough for Spring , but for a Winter more.
In Peace he did direct his thoughts on Warrs,
And learn't in silence how to combat Jarres .
And though the Times look't smooth and would allow
No track of Frown or Wrincle in their Brow:
Yet his quick sight perceiv'd the Age would low'r,
And, while the Day was faire , fore-saw the Show'r .
At this the prudent Augur did provide
Where to endure the storme , not where to hide ,
And sought to shun the Danger now drawn nigh,
Not by Concealment but by Victory .
As valiant Seamen , if the Vessel knock,
Rather sayle o're it , than avoid the Rock.
And thus Resolv'd, he saw on either hand,
The Causes , and their bold Abettors stand.
The Kingdoms Law is the pretence of each,
Which these by Law preserve , these by its breach ,
The Subjects Liberty each side maintains,
These say it consists in freedom , these in Chaines ,
These love the decent Church, but these not pass
To dresse our Matron by the Geneva Glass?
These still enshrine their God; but these adore
Him most at some Araunah's Threshing-floor .
Each part defends their King a several way,
By true Subjection these, by Treasons they.
But our Spectatour soon unmask't the sin,
And saw all Serpent through that specious skin .
And midst their best Pretext did still despair,
In any dresse to see their Moor look fair .
And though the Number weigh'd ith' popular scale ,
As light things float still with the tyde and gale ,
He with the solid mixt, and did conclude,
Justice makes Parties great , not Multitude .
And with this constant Principle possest,
He did alone expose his single Breast,
Against an Armies force, and bleeding lay,
The great Restorer o'th' Declining Day .
Thus slain thy Valiant Ancestor did lye,
When his one Bark a Navy durst defie,
When now encompass'd round, he Victor stood,
And bath'd his Pinnace in his conquering Blood.
Till all his Purple current dry'd and spent,
He fell, and left the Waves his Monument ,
Where shall next famous Grenvills Ashes stand?
Thy Grandsire fills the Seas , and Thou the Land .