Poems by the most deservedly admired Mrs. Katherine Philips, the matchless Orinda ; to which is added Monsieur Corneille's Pompey & Horace, tragedies ; with several other translations out of French.
Philips, Katherine, 1631-1664., Corneille, Pierre, 1606-1684., Corneille, Pierre, 1606-1684.
Epitaph on my truly honoured Publius Scipio.
TO the officious Marble we commit
A Name, above the art of time or wit;
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'Tis righteous, Valiant Scipio, whose life we
Found the best Sermon, and best History:
Whose Courage was no Aguish, bru'tish heat,
But such as spoke him good, as well as great;
Which first Engaged his Arms to prop the State
Of the almost undone Palatinate,
And help the Nether-Lands to stem the tide
Of Romes ambition, and the Austrian Pride;
Which shall in every History be fam'd,
Wherein Breda or Frankendale are nam'd.
And when forced by his Country's angry Stars
To be a Party in her Civil Wars,
He so much conduct by his Valour taught,
So wisely govern'd, and so bravely Faught,
That the English Annals shall this Record bear,
None better could direct or further dare.
Form'd both for War and Peace, was brave in fight,
And in Debate judicious and upright:
Religion was his first and highest care,
Which rul'd his Heart in Peace, his Hand in War:
Which at the least Sin made him tremble still,
And rather stand a Breach, than act an Ill;
For his great Heart did such a temper show,
Stout as Rock, yet soft as melting Snow.
In him so prudent, and yet so sinsere,
The Serpent much, the Dove did more appear:
He was above the little arts of state,
And scorn'd to sell his peace to mend his Fate,
Anxious of nothing, but an inward spot,
His hand was open, but his Conscience not;
Just to his Word, to all Religions kind,
In duty strict, in Bounty unconfin'd;
And yet so modest; 'twas to him less pain
To do great things, then hear them told again;
Perform sad Stone thy honourable trust,
Unto his memory and thy self be just,
For his immortal name shall thee befriend,
And pay thee back more same then thou canst lend.
