Classic Poem

To the officious Marble we commit
A Name, above the art of time or wit;
'Tis righteous, Valiant Scipio , whose life we
Found the best Sermon, and best History:
Whose Courage was no Aguish, bru'tish heat,
But such as spoke him good, as well as great;
Which first Engaged his Arms to prop the State
Of the almost undone Palatinate ,
And help the Nether-Lands to stem the tide
Of Rome's ambition, and the Austrian Pride;
Which shall in every History be fam'd,
Wherein Breda or Frankendale are name'd.
And when forced by his Country's angry Stars
To be a Party in her Civil Wars,
He so much conduct by his Valour taught,
So wisely govern'd, and so bravely Faught,
That the English Annals shall this Record bear:
None better could direct, or further dare.
Form'd both for War and Peace, was brave in fight,
And in Debate judicious and upright:
Religion was his first and highest care,
Which rul'd his Heart in Peace, his Hand in War:
Which at the least Sin made him tremble still,
And rather stand a Breach, than act an Ill;
For his great Heart did such a temper show,
Stout as a Rock, yet soft as melting Snow.
In him so prudent, and yet so sinsere,
The Serpent much, the Dove did more appear:
He was above the little arts of state,
And scorn'd to sell his peace to mend his Fate;
Anxious of nothing, but an inward spot,
His hand was open, but his Conscience not;
Just to his word, to all Religions kind,
In duty strict, in Bounty unconfin'd;
And yet so modest; twas to him less pain
To do great things, then hear them told again
Perform, sad Stone, thy honourable trust,
Unto his memory and thy self be just;
For his immortal name shall thee befriend,
And pay thee back more fame then thou canst lend.