Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, EPITAPH ON FRANCIS CHARTRES, by JOHN ARBUTHNOT



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

EPITAPH ON FRANCIS CHARTRES, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Here continueth to rot
Last Line: By his bestowing it on the most unworthy of all mortals.
Subject(s): Chartres, Francis (1675-1732); Crime & Criminals


HERE continueth to rot
The Body of Francis Chartres,
Who with an Infelxible Constancy,
and Inimitable Uniformity of Life, Persisted
In spite of Age and Infirmities,
In the Practice of Every Human Vice;
Excepting Prodigality and Hypocrisy:
His insatiable Avarice exempted him from the first,
His matchless Impudence from the second.
Nor was he more singular in the undeviating Pravity of his manners
Than successful in Accumulating Wealth.
For, without Trade or Profession,
Without Trust of Public Money,
And without Bribe-worthy Service,
He acquired, or more properly created,
A Ministerial Estate.
He was the only Person of his Time,
Who could Cheat without the Mask of Honesty,
Retain his Primeval Meanness
When possessed of Ten Thousand a Year,
And having daily deserved the Gibbet for what he did,
Was at last condemned to it for what he could not do.
Oh Indignant Reader!
Think not his Life useless to Mankind!
Providence connived at his execrable Designs,
To give to After-ages
A conspicuous Proof and Example,
Of how small Estimation is Exorbitant Wealth in the Sight of God,
By his bestowing it on the most Unworthy of All Mortals.




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