An Elegy on the death of Sir Edmund Saunders late lord chief justice of England, who dyed on the 19th of this instant June, 1683.

An Elegy on the death of Sir Edmund Saunders late lord chief justice of England, who dyed on the 19th of this instant June, 1683.

Table of contents

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His Epitaph.

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[Page]

MEMENTO MORI:

AN ELEGY On the Death of Sir EDMUND SAUNDERS, Late Lord Chief Justice of ENGLAND; Who Dyed on the 19th. of this Instant June, 1683.

How vain are all the hopes on which we build?

Whate're we sow, 'tis Death still reaps the field:

'Tis by this Tenure Mortals hold their Breath,

To give it up when e're 'tis call'd by Death.

Our Life is only lent us upon trust,

Whether we will or not, we must be just:

Heaven has to all appointed soon or late,

To undergo the power of cruel Fate:

But hark! what sound is't strikes my trembling ear?

Saunders is Dead! good Heaven! what is't I hear?

Is Saunders Dead, that Noble Worthy Man?

His Life is done before it scarce began:

He was but shown unto the wondring world,

When lo into the silent Grave he's hurl'd.

Lament, lament, a Learned Judge is gone,

The Laws bright Star, that so Divinely shone,

To steer the wandring Course of those fond Men,

VVho thought all Law and Reason dwelt with them.

But soon as our Chief Justice was espy'd,

Their Shifts and Fallacies all sunk and dy'd,

Like Mists that rise before the Morning Sun,

But vanish all e're half his Race is run:

Saunders in time, though short, has liv'd, yet more

Then thousands Older, that have been before.

Some Men need try but part of their true strength,

To lay their Foes before them at their length;

Whilst others strive with heavy weight in vain,

And came Ignobly off with blushing shame:

But Saunders was by Destiny design'd,

To be the Joy and Honour of Mankind:

A General Good was his Unerring aim,

'Tis that alone which gives Immortal Fame.

He did with Prudence first himself advise,

And then he taught the Nation to be wise.

When he had gain'd the Mastery of the Law,

For Publique Good he did his Forces draw:

To serve his Country was his highest care,

For which great end he did so Nobly dare,

His Soul not capable of unjust fear.

When in a lower Sphear, how did he move,

And gave clear signs what he wou'd higher prove;

Great force of Nature in his parts was seen,

Which yet, Refin'd by Art, more glorious shine.

Hard Labour, Industry, and sweating Toyl,

Went to compleat this wonder of our Isle;

He knew, since the first Man was Curs'd, that pain

And trouble was the only way to gain

True Honour, therefore did his strength imploy,

In that which always gives the truest Joy.

Kind Providence Rewards industrous Care,

But Lazy wishes Heaven will never hear;

Let thy Example lead our Young Men on,

None knows to what with Study he may come;

What soul so stupid, but takes generous Fire,

When he but thinks on thee, whom all admire,

He feels warm Glory through his Breast inspire

His drousie Faculties, and straight does find,

Ambition to be like thee, seize his mind.

We never can the vastness of our Loss express,

Nor in fit Language our sad sorrows dress.

All we can say on this great Theam, appears,

To be but overflowing of our Tears.

Oh that kind Heaven wou'd shew some better vvay,

Hovv to his Ashes we might Tribute pay.

We're all oblig'd to vveep and mourn for him,

Who for us all laid out his care and time;

May he that shall succeed make up our grief,

By his great worth vve may receive Relief,

And Comfort to our vvoes, vvhich svvell so high,

They seem almost from Earth to reach the Sky.

His Epitaph.

HEre lieth Saunders sacred Dust,

While living, was the Nations Trust;

Reflect O Reader! on thy state,

Consider thou must stoop to Fate;

However Brave Thou art, and Great,

The silent Grave does for thee wait,

And nothing can stern Death Intreat.

§

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Licensed and Entred according to Order:

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Printed for I. Deacon at the Angel, in Guiltspur street. ⟨145.⟩

Information about this book

Title statement

An Elegy on the death of Sir Edmund Saunders late lord chief justice of England, who dyed on the 19th of this instant June, 1683.

Edition statement

1683

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2009-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A39022

ID [STC]

Wing E381

ID [STC]

ESTC R36076

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

15599770

ID [OCLC]

ocm 15599770

ID [VID]

104047

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Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A39022)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 104047)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1591:6)

Source

— An Elegy on the death of Sir Edmund Saunders late lord chief justice of England, who dyed on the 19th of this instant June, 1683.,

Extent

1 broadside.

Printed for I. Deacon,. [London] :: [1683]. (In verse.) (Place and date of publication suggested by Wing.) ("Licensed and entred according to order.") (Within mourning borders, with emblem and motto.) (Reproduction of original in the Harvard University Library.)

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