AN EPYTAPHE vpon the Death of the Right worshipfull, Sir william GARRAT Knight: and chiefe Alderman of the Queenes Maiesties Citie of LONDON. Who deceased the. 27. of SEPTEMBER. 1571. ANNO AETATIS SVE. 64.
EVen as the PYLATE traines the rest,
that trauaile would attayne:
And by the compasse of his Carde,
describes his Iorney playne:
Euen so the trauayle of this worlde
apparant seemes to bee,
From Childhood first to middle state:
Then finallie wee see:
From crooked Age vnto the House,
that mortall Creatures win:
Our Mother deare the Earth, of whom
our Substance did begyn.
Whiche full Effect considered well, as Flowers in the Field:
we may conceiue this outwarde man, in tract of time shall yeld,
And hange the head: for as the shade that glydeth on the wall,
compared with the Lillie faire, so sodaine is our fall.
As here before our eyes we may prospectiue plainly trie,
A Mirrour and a lookyng Glasse, for euerie Wight to spie,
In Countrey soyle, (O LECTOR deare.) of Consulshippes degree:
A Lanterne bright to Iustice Seate, heare playnly thou maist see
Bereaued of breath: a Knight no lesse, then Worships Citie clame:
for Rector of the Publique weale, that GARAT had to name.
From middle Age by sage aduise pursuyng Vertues lore:
Whiche is the cause that doth augment, his Worship euermore.
In Godlines, or sacred lyfe, his steppes, the Lorde hath blest:
whose endlesse Fame reuiueth still, though Corps be now supprest
By Natures course. In time, vnto the poore a perfect staye:
maintayning Iustice equailie, from euerie daye to daye.
A Patron of his Countrey deare intombde he hath, to name:
For as the Senate graunts him right, the Cōmons say the same.
Though then that Fate hath him assignd, his Pageant thus to play
Still puttyng vs in Memorie, that we shall walke that waye.
There is not one, that can reproue, one Title of his right,
But as he was, (euen so he died:) to lyue a faithfull Knight.
And gaue the Onset to the flesh, and conquered hath the same:
As Champian bould, by Shield of Faith, to glorie of his name.
Disdayning Earthly trade, or meane: embracing Heauenly light:
Committyng to the handes of God, his inwarde man or Spright.
If that as then suche noble Actes, enlarge his loyall prayse:
And by accompt of iust desertes, his treble Honour rayse.
What rufull losse hath all the state, of Senatours degree?
with whome for Counsaile graue, he was accepted wont to bee.
Or els what teares may Publique weale, effuse in wofull plight?
Since fatall Doome hath pluckt frō them so sage & wise a Knight
What double losse hath Ladie his? (that vertuous Matron graue,)
Whom God had linckt to him as Spouse, for terme of lyfe to haue.
What losse hath Children deare, of him? what losse hath seruants al?
what losse hath eche that flood in neede, for Counsell his to call?
What losse hath rich? what losse hath poore? what losse hath ech estate
what remedie? nought helpes herein, but wayle our wofull Fate.
Yet nought at all preuailes our teares, therfore to God I pray,
(Sith he is gone:) the rest may walke, his redy Path and waye:
And specially, his Brethren sage: that sit on Iustice Seate,
Their Worships hartes, the Lorde direct, vnto his glorie greate.
Mayntainyng iustly euerie cause, and plantyng Vertues right,
So that therby the Cōmon Weale, may floorish cleare and bright
In happie state, most prosperouslie, great ioye for to be seene:
To spred her Branches in respect, as doth the Olyue greene.
Graunt this O God eternally, that when this race is ronne:
Their Worships may obtain the Fame that GARRAT hath begon.
FINIS.
DIXI. N. BOVR.
¶This Race presents a Pilgremage,
Or Tragicall Discourse on Stage:
Whiche once begon, drawes to an ende;
Let Death therfore be thought on frende:
And feare no whit the Campe to yelde,
So longe as Fayth may be thy Shield.
Imprinted at London in the vpper ende of Fleetelane, by Richarde Iohnes: And are to be sould at his Shop, ioynyng to the Southwest Doore of sainct Paules Churche. 1571. October. 2.