Epigrams of all sorts, made at divers times on several occasions by Richard Flecknoe.

Of a Worthy Noble man: Or, William Duke of Newcastle.

BUt now behold a Nobleman indeed, Such as w'admire in story when we read; Who does not proudly look that you shud doff Your hat, and make a reverence twelvescore of: Nor takes exceptions, if at every word You call him not his Grace, or else my Lord? But does appear a hundred times more great By his neglect of't, than by keeping state. He knows Civility and Curtesie, Are chiefest signes of true Nobility; And that which gains them truest honourers, Is their own Vertues, not their Ancesters. By which through all degrees that he has past, Of Vicount, Earl, Marquiss, and Duke at last, H'as always gain'd the general esteem Of honouring those, more than they honour'd him.