This in the presence of any witnesses, this openly in the face of heaven and to my own conscience, I boast of as my own. I proclaim myself in this particular incapable of enduring a rival; for others of thy admirers [pupils] may venerate thee, and do venerate thee, with more polite attention, but none will be able to do so with observance more sincere and felt. In conclusion; of these rivulets, however slender they may be and of no name, this at least will be the fitting praise--that at all events they know their own Ocean. R. WI.
COLL. REGIN. M^{ ri} QUI VEN. D^{ s} BROOKE [M^{ ri} COLL. TRIN.], INTERITUM PROXIME SECUTUS EST.[116]
Ergo iterum in lacrymas et saevi murmura planctus Ire jubet tragica mors iterata manu; Scilicet illa novas quae jam fert dextra sagittas, Dextra priore recens sanguine stillat adhuc. Vos ô, quos socia Lachesis prope miscuit urna, Et vicina colus vix sinit esse duos; Ite ô, quos nostri jungunt consortia damni; Per nostras lacrymas ô nimis ite pares; Ite per Elysias felici tramite valles, Et sociis animos conciliate viis. Illic ingentes ultro confundite manes, Noscat et aeternam mutua dextra fidem. Communes eadem spargantur in otia curae, Atque idem felix poscat utrumque labor. Nectarae simul ite vagis sermonibus horae; Nox trahat alternas continuata vices. Una cibos ferat, una suas vocet arbor in umbras; Ambobus faciles herba det una toros. Certum erit interea quanto sit major habenda Quam quae per vitam est, mortis amicitia.
MASTER OF QUEEN'S COLLEGE, WHICH FOLLOWED VERY CLOSELY THE DECEASE OF REV. DR. BROOKE.[117]
In tears once more and sighs of cruel woe Death's tragic stroke repeated bids us go; That fatal hand, which now bears arrows new, Still freshly drips with former crimson dew. Ye whom Fate almost mingl'd in one urn, Whom to be two, close threads forbid discern; Go ye, who equally our sorrows share, By reason of our tears too much a pair; Go where Elysian vales your steps invite, In social paths your happy souls unite; There mix your mighty shades with willing mind, Eternal faith your blended right-hands find. Let common cares be lost in the same joys, While the same happy labour both employs; Through nectar'd hours in talk together range, And night continue the sweet interchange: One tree bear fruit for both, one tree yield shade, On the same turf your pleasant couch be made; Thus how much better will be plainly seen Friendship of Death than that of life, I ween. R. WI.