The picture of the vnfortunate gentleman, Sir Geruis Eluies Knight. late leiftenant of his Maiesties Tower of London.
Behold him aright whose office & estate,
Vnwisely manag'd, made him vnfortunate:
And whose flattring hopes of popular grace,
Rob'd him of life, fauoures dignity, and place.
Yet let the worst of him thus much conceait,
A foe to him selfe, in striuing to be great:
Worshipfull by birth, deborare and kind,
Perfect in all, but the purpose of minde.
Thorough which, he vainely ayming ouer hye,
Deceaiued him selfe and won blame thereby:
For in thinking to better his degree,
Fortune betrayd him with false hopes we see.
The golden meanes was not his harts content,
Nor countrey life, with quiet slumbers spent:
But watchful cares, and charges of estate,
The onely aymes his hart made leuell at.
So climing vp to dignity & fame,
Forgot what daungers dwelt about the same:
But seated on the top of Fortunes mount,
He little thought so soone to giue account,
Of his amisse: and deeds of secret sin;
Of which by law he was found guillty in.
And being cast, as Iustice had ordain'd,
His soule for heauenly mercy still complain'd:
And so with true repentance leauing earth,
Tooke patiently his iust deserued death.
Rest then in peace on Sions holy hill,
Perswasions trayn'd thee vnto this cursed ill:
Which if to it thou neuer had'st giuen consent,
Thy dayes had beene in gracious maner spent.
Printed at London in the Black-Friers, by Paul Boulenger. 1615.