Classic Poem

Over the Chimny in the great Chamber at Merworth. Oxford Translat
What doth He gett whoe're preferrs
The scuttchions of His Ancesters
This Chimni-peece of Gould or Brass
That Coat of Armes blazond in glass
When those with time and age have end
Thy Prowess must thy self commend.
The smooty shadows of some one
Or others Trophes carvd in ston
Defac't are things to whet, not trye
Thine owne Heroicisme by
For Cast how much thy merits skoar
Falls short of those went thee before
By soe much art thou in arear
And stainst Gentillety I fear
True Noblenes doth those alone engage
Who can add Vertues to their Parentage.