AN EPITAPH On his most honoured Friend Richard Earl of Dorset

Let no profane ignoble foot tread neer

This hallow'd peece of earth, Dorset lies here.

A small sad relique of a noble spirit,

Free as the air, and ample as his merit;

Whose least perfection was large, and great

Enough to make a common man compleat.

A soul refin'd and cull'd from many men,

That reconcil'd the sword unto the pen,

Using both well. No proud forgetting Lord,

But mindful of mean names and of his word.

One that did love for honour, not for ends,

And had the noblest way of making friends

By loving first. One that did know the Court,

Yet understood it better by report

Then practice, for he nothing took from thence

But the kings favour for his recompence.

One for religion, or his countreys good

That valu'd not his Fortune nor his blood.

One high in fair opinion, rich in praise;

And full of all we could have wisht, but dayes.

He that is warn'd of this, and shall forbear

To vent a sigh for him, or lend a tear;

May he live long and scorn'd, unpiti'd fall,

And want a mourner at his funerall.