Svffolks tears, or, Elegies on the renowned knight Sir Nathaniel Barnardiston a gentleman eminent for piety to God, love to the Church, and fidelity to his country, and therefore highly honored by them all : he was five times chosen Knight of the Shire, for the county of Suffolk, and once burgess of Sudbury, in the discharge of which trust, he always approved himself faithful, as by his great sufferings for the freedoms and liberties of his countrey, abundantly appear : a zealous promoter of the preaching of the Gospel, manifested by his great care, in presenting men, able, learned, and pious, to the places whereof he had the patronage, and also by his large and extraordinary bounty towards the advancing of religion and learning, both at home, and in forreign plantations among the heathen.

On the Death of that Noble Patriot of his Country Sir Nath. Barnardiston.

I Heard that many Poets went of late In a full throng to knock at Heavens gate, Humbly beseeching Jove of his quick brain, (From whence Minerva, without Mothers pain, Or Midwifes help, a witty Dame did flow) Some few small Particles on them bestow; And highly their immortal souls inspire, With a divine and active nimble fire; That they might fancies, quick, and high conceive, And might even Virgil of his Bayes bereave. 'Twas granted; then in haste to Helicon, With fury rapt beyond themselves they run, And for their guide, among the nine they chuse, A fullen, melancholly, pensive Muse,

To shew that bitter stream of Pegasus, That prompted Naso with De Tristibus: Of this they largely drinking to their fill, Did into farre more bitter tears distill, Sounding aloud, in hideous lamentation, As when Plague, Sword, and Famine fright a Nation. I wondring, curiously the cause desir'd, VVhich so much wit, and so much grief requir'd; 'Twas answer'd in a sad, and doleful voyce, By one whose sorrows did surmount his noyse. Alas! of all good men (of such though blest, The Catalogue's but short) we' ave lost the best; Prince in his Tribe, his Countries Patriot, By election made, not undiscerning Lot; A just, wise, honest, noble Senator, Lover of Peace, contentions Arbiter, Patron of Learning, Poverties releife, The Angels joy, and ease unto friends grief. Farewell, brave Soul, whom now the Saints do greet, In all things high, but in thine own conceit. These great Elog'ums did me little move, (A stranger to his person, and his love:) Beside, I knew that Poets, some for gaine, Many for feare, and more for hunger, straine The musick of their pliant, giddy passion, To any humour of Mecaenas fashion; Yet some impression I must needs admit, Seeing whole Families, and Hamblets sit Like Israel by Euphrate discontent, As if his absence were their banishment. I therefore did unto the Funerall show, If not a Party, yet Spectator goe; There was the much lamented herse let down, In hope of resurrection to a crown;

In silent vault confin'd with worms, and dust, Where marble must consume, and iron rust; Whence we expect a glorious release, For th' seeds corruption tendeth to increase. But when I saw the mournful Dowager, Like Mary Magdalen by th' Sepulcher, Fixing her eyes upon the greedy grave, Which humane flesh unsatisfi'd doth crave; As if in that cold bed she'd rather lye, Then part with her old loving company. When Children, Nephews, Kinsmen there stood dumb, Like Images, to deck the dead Knights Tomb; I could not then refraine, but these tears lent, As drops to th' Sea, their sorrow to augment. Sure he was very good, who when life fayl'd, Left so much wealth behind, and's yet bewayl'd; Whose heir can slightly look upon his gold, And wish't ith' live Testators hand untold? But grieve not Sirs, nor envie him, his mind, He's far above what he hath left behind; Nathaniel is not dead, but was entic'd, To leave his Fig-tree, for to follow Christ.

Edmund Vnderwood.