Classic Poem

Epitaph Upon the Death of the Most Noble Sir Thomas Gorge, An

An Epitaph vpon the death of the most noble Sr Thomas Gorge, decesing in March. Anno Salutis, 1610.

W HOME Nature, Arte and Fates conspird to raise.
Vnconstant fates haue now abridg'd his daies;
Yet Arte and Nature still his part doth take,
And rues his marring whome they erst did make
Nature in seas of teares still sinkes his hearse;
While Arte to heauen would raise the same in verse:
For what is said of largest worthines,
But may be said of his, that was no lesse?
His spirit, all flame (which doth by Nature mount)
Betterd his nature and his worths account.
Neere eighty times he saw (by Nature's force)
The sunne to touch the tropickes in his course:
So though his nature were refining-fire,
Yet (staid with grace which made it long respire)
It ne're impeacht himselfe, nor ought beside
That vertne should regard, vntill he dide.
Then by his want he did the world impeach,
Though well his life and death the world did teach.
 Then though the Earth his corps hath in her gorge
 Men keepe the fame and God the soule of Gorge.English