Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/404

Was there a tree about which did not know
      The love betwixt us two?
      Henceforth, ye gentle trees, for ever fade;
Or your sad branches thicker join
      And into darksome shades combine,
Dark as the grave wherein my Friend is laid!

Large was his soul: as large a soul as e'er
Submitted to inform a body here;
High as the place 'twas shortly in Heaven to have,
      But low and humble as his grave.
So high that all the virtues there did come,
      As to their chiefest seat
      Conspicuous and great;
So low, that for me too it made a room.

Knowledge he only sought, and so soon caught
As if for him Knowledge had rather sought;
Nor did more learning ever crowded lie
      In such a short mortality.
Whene'er the skilful youth discoursed or writ,
      Still did the notions throng
      About his eloquent tongue;
Nor could his ink flow faster than his wit.

His mirth was the pure spirits of various wit,
Yet never did his God or friends forget;
And when deep talk and wisdom came in view,
      Retired, and gave to them their due.
For the rich help of books he always took,
      Though his own searching mind before
      Was so with notions written o'er,
As if wise Nature had made that her book.