Classic Poem

Virtue in those good times that bred good men
Noe testimony crav'd of tongue; or pen;
Noe carved columns; nor engraven brasse,
To tell the world that such a person was:
For then each pious act, to all discent,
Stood for the worthy owner's monument:
But in this change of manners, and of states,
Good names, though writt in marble, have their fates.
Such is the barb'rous and irreverend rage
That armes the rabble of this impious age.
Yet may this happy stone that beares a name,
Such as noe bold survivor dares to claime
To ages yet unborne unblemish't stand,
Safe from the stroak of an inhuman hand.
Here, Reader, here a Ports sadd reliques lye
To teach the carelesse world mortalitie;
Who while he mortall was unrivall'd stood
The crown, and glory of his Ancient blood:
Fitt for his Prince's, and his Country's trust,
Pious to God, and to his neighbour just.
A loyal Husband to his latest end,
A gracious Father, and a faithfull friend.
Belov'd he liv'd, and dy'd ore charg'd with yeares,
Fuller of Honour than of aged Haires.
And, to summe up his vertues, this was Hee
Who was what all men should, but cannot bee.