GEORGE VILLIERS, second Duke An Epitaph on THOMAS, third Lord FAIRFAX. [A Third Collection of. Poems, Satires, Songs, &c. against Popery and Tyranny. London, 1689. 4to. [Lord FAIRFAX, the great General on the side of the Parliament, died in 1671; and his son-in-law, the Writer of this Epitaph, in 1688. VILLIERS never wrote a nobler Poem, irregular though it be.] Under this stone does lie I. AIRFAX the valiant; and the only He And eke the meekness too of womankind. 2. He ne'er seemed impudent but in the Field: a place And had not heard their talk; but only seen. Their gestures and their mien: They would have sworn he had, the vanquished been. 3. Through his whole life, the Part he bore And yet it so appeared in nothing more For it's a stranger thing to find Through dulness and mistake, In seeking after Power: but get it not. 4. When all the nation he had won, And with expense of blood had bought; Of fame and of renown: He then his arms laid down With full as little pride As if he had been of his Enemies' side; Or one of them could do that were undone. He was content to know (For he had found it so) That when he pleased, to conquer he was able; And left the spoil and plunder to the rabble. He might have been a King: But that he understood How much it is a meaner thing To be unjustly Great, than honourably Good. 5. This from the World, did admiration draw; As they were bound to do, |