Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun, Which was my sin, tho' it were done before? Wilt thou forgive that sin through which I run, And do run still, tho' still I do deplore? When thou hast done, thou hast not done, For I have more.
Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won Others to sin, and made my sin their door? Wilt thou forgive that sin, which I did shun A year or two, but wallowed in a score? When thou hast done, thou hast not done, For I have more.
I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun My last thrid, I shall perish on the shore; But swear by thy self, that at my death thy son Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore; And having done that, thou hast done, I ask no more.
He died _March_ 31. _Anno_ 1631. and was buried in St. _Paul's_-Church, attended by many persons of Nobility and Eminency. After his burial, some mournful friends repaired, and as _Alexander_ the great did to the Grave of the most famous _Achilles_, so they strewed his with curious and costly flowers. Nor was this (tho' not usual) all the honour done to his reverend ashes; for some person (unknown) to perpetuate his memory, sent to his Executors, Dr. _King_, and Dr. _Momford_, an 100 _Marks_ towards the making of a _Monument_ for him; which they faithfully performed, it being as lively a representation as in dead Marble could be made of him, tho' since by that merciless Fire in 1666. it be quite ruined.
I shall conclude all with these Verses, made to the Memory of this reverend person.
He that would write an Epitaph for thee, And do it well, must first begin to be Such as thou wert; for none can truly know Thy worth, thy life, but he that lived so. He must have wit to spare, and to hurl down, Enough to keep the Gallants of the Town. He must have learning plenty, both the Laws Civil and Common, to judge any Cause; Divinity great store above the rest, None of the worst Edition, but the best: He must have Language, Travel, all the Arts; Judgment to use, or else he wants thy parts: He must have friends the highest, able to do, Such as _Mæcenas_ and _Augustus_ too; He must have such a sickness, such a death, Or else his vain descriptions come beneath: He must unto all good men be a friend, And (like to thee) must make a pious end.