On the DEATH of the ILLUSTRIOUS DAVID EARLE of WEMYSS, &c. One of the most Honourable Lords of His Majesties Privy Council.
ELEGIE.
AS Great Men do, their Vassals charge and call,
Them to attend anothers Funerall;
Neptune bids Triton warn each Christal-Spring
A Floud of Tears into Forths-Firth to bring,
To wait His murmuring Tydes, upon Wemys Shore,
That Noble Earles Death still to deplore,
Whose Hollow-Rockie-Caves, with Eccho's may
Teach Swans to weep, in an unwonted way,
And Rampant-Lyons, hence to roar with Grief,
Their Lord and Master is bereav'd of Life:
Each Navigator sails Fifes pleasant Coast,
To moan the Anchor of their hope is lost;
For whom built Peer and Harbour safe and sure,
No raging storm can Shipping there injure:
But all this nothing to those Sorrows, that
Of which this Kingdom must participat;
King, Nobles, Gentry, Clergy, most concern'd,
A braver Subject Monarch ne're govern'd;
Wish'd that his Soveraigns-Crowns in concord flourish,
And Heav'ns good-success all His Projects cherish,
Whose, and the Publique's safety did desire,
Free from all Plots, Rebellion can conspire;
Straight Loyal-Rule to States-men of the Land,
How to Obey, and likewise to Command:
From Passion free, unto sound Council prone,
Rich'd with the Wisdom of a Solomon:
Promotion and Seditious wayes did hate,
Endeavour'd rather to be Good than Great;
Court Parasitick flatteries did scorn,
By whom Truth and Integrity were born:
To Law and Gospel Zealous Constant Friend,
Religious VVorship in the Church maintain'd;
Faith justify'd with unfaign'd Charity,
The Luckie H [...] Liberality.
In Virtuous Actions all the Age excell'd,
At VVork a Thousand Souls daily upheld;
Gave Colledges, Schools, Artists, and each Muse
Incouragement Their Genious to use;
Augustian Sp'rit, yet of Meek humble mind,
The Worlds best Breeding by Thee was refin'd;
Renowned Fame of whom can well report,
More Hospitable ne're kept Princely Court,
Fraughted with Courage and Mag'nimity,
Honour'd all Orders of Nobility;
In Converse Mirthful, Jovial and Sweet,
VVith Clemency made Mercy Justice meet;
With Coal, and Salt, enrich'd Thy Countrey more,
Then all the Traffiquers for Indian Ore:
As Boas did, His Family o'resee,
Thy Beasts were fatned by the Masters eye:
In whose affairs were nothing wrong that went,
Whom Tenents, Servants, ever may lament.
Brag'd not of Blood, as many now-a-days,
Though from Mcduff (Fifes Thane) Thine did arise.
In Matching, and Alliance did digress
Ne're from the splendor of his worthiness:
Sad Pryzless loss to Name, (its ancient Chief)
Thereto shew friendship beyond all belief;
As Scripture tells, Joseph of Husbands best,
And Isaac the most loving do attest,
Of Noble Wemys, may future times record,
The best of Husbands, and most loving Lord:
Thy Deathless Praise spread through the Univers,
(As is Thy Merit) can no Pen express;
Full sixty nine years lustre lent this Clyme,
In all whose Days, most Peaceful, free of Cryme;
Hence call'd to Heav'n,
David Earl of Wemyss, Anagram,
to have eternal Rule, [...]