Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AN EPITAPH ON ROBERT PORT, ESQ., DESIGNED FOR A MONUMENT, by CHARLES COTTON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AN EPITAPH ON ROBERT PORT, ESQ., DESIGNED FOR A MONUMENT, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Virtue in those good times that bred good men
Last Line: Who was what all we should, but cannot be.
Subject(s): Epitaphs


And now set up in Elum [Ilam] Church, in the County of Stafford

VIRTUE in those good times that bred good men
No testimony crav'd of tongue; or pen;
No marble columns; nor engraven brass,
To tell the World that such a person was:
For then each pious act, to fair descent,
Stood for the worthy owner's Monument:
But in this change of Manners, and of States,
Good names, though writ in marble, have their fates.
Such is the barb'rous and irrev'rent rage
That arms the rabble of this impious Age.

Yet may this happy stone that bears a name,
(Such as no bold survivor dares to claim)
To Ages yet unborn unblemish't stand,
Safe from the stroke of an inhuman hand.

Here, Reader, here a Port's sad relics lie
To teach the careless World mortality;
Who while he mortal was unrivall'd stood
The crown, and glory of his ancient blood:
Fit 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 faithful Friend.
Belov'd he liv'd, and died o'er charg'd with years,
Fuller of Honour than of silver hairs.
And, to sum up his Virtues, this was he
Who was what all we should, but cannot be.





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