AN EPYTAPHE
upon the Death of the Right worshipfull, Sir William
GARRAT Knight: and chiefe Alderman of the Queenes Majesties Citie of LONDON.
Who deceased the .27. of SEPTEMBER. 1571. ANNO AETATIS SUE. 64.
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EVen as the PYLATE traines the rest,
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that travaile would attayne:
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And by the compasse of his Carde,
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describes his Jorney playne:
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Even so the travayle of this worlde
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apparant seemes to bee,
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From Childhood first to middle state:
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Then finallie wee see:
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From crooked Age unto the House,
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that mortall Creatures win:
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Our Mother deare the Earth, of whom
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our Substance did begyn.
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Whiche full Effect considered well, as Flowers in the Field:
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we may conceive this outwarde man, in tract of time shall yeld,
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And hange the head: for as the shade that glydeth on the wall,
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compared with the Lillie faire, so sodaine is our fall.
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As here before our eyes we may prospective plainly trie,
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A Mirrour and a lookyng Glasse, for everie Wight to spie,
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In Countrey soyle, (O LECTOR deare,) of Consulshippes degree:
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A Lanterne bright to Justice Seate, heare playnly thou maist see
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Bereaved of breath: a Knight no lesse, then Worships Title clame:
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for Rector of the Publique weale, that GARAT had to name.
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From middle Age by sage advise, pursuyng Vertues lore:
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Whiche is the cause that doth augment, his Worship evermore.
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In Godlines, or sacred lyfe, his steppes, the Lorde hath blest:
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whose endlesse Fame reviveth still, though Corps be now supprest
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By Natures course. In time, unto the poore a perfect staye:
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maintayning Justice equallie, from everie daye to daye.
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A Patron of his Countrey deare intombde he hath, to name:
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For as the Senate graunts him right, the Commons say the same.
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Though then that Fate hath him assignd, his Pageant thus to play
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Still puttyng us in Memorie, that we shall walke that waye.
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There is not one, that can reprove, one Title of his right,
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But as he was, (even so he died:) to lyve a faithfull Knight.
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And gave the Onset to the flesh, and conquered hath the same:
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As Champian bould, by Shield of Faith, to glorie of his name.
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Disdayning Earthly trade, or meane: embracing Heavenly light:
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Committyng to the handes of God, his inwarde man or Spright.
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If that as then suche noble Actes, enlarge his loyall prayse:
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And by accompt of just desertes, his treble Honour rayse.
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What rufull losse hath all the state, of Senatours degree?
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with whome for Counsaile grave, he was accepted wont to bee.
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Or els what teares may Publique weale, effuse in wofull plight?
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Since fatall Doome hath pluckt from them so sage & wise a Knight
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What double losse hath Ladie his? (that vertuous Matron grave,)
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Whom God had linckt to him as Spouse, for terme of lyfe to have.
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What losse hath Children deare, of him? what losse hath servants al?
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what losse hath eche that stood in neede, for Counsell his to call?
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What losse hath rich? what losse hath poore? what losse hath ech estate
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what remedie? nought helpes herein, but wayle our wofull Fate.
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Yet nought at all prevailes our teares, therfore to God I pray,
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(Sith he is gone:) the rest may walke, his redy Path and waye:
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And specially, his Brethren sage: that sit on Justice Seate,
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Their Worships hartes, the Lorde direct, unto his glorie greate.
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Mayntainyng justly everie cause, and plantyng Vertues right,
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So that therby the Common Weale, may floorish cleare and bright
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In happie state, most prosperouslie, great joye for to be seene:
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To spred her Branches in respect, as doth the Olyve greene.
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Graunt this O God eternally, that when this race is ronne:
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Their Worships may obtain the Fame that GARRAT hath begon.
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