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EBBA 32110

Huntington Library - Bridgewater
Ballad XSLT Template
AN
ELEGY
In Commemoration of the Right Worshipful
Sir WILLIAM SCROGGS,
Late Lord Chief Justice of His MAJESTIES Court of KINGS-BENCH, who de-
parted this Life, the 25th of this Instant October. 1683.

THou pleasing Muse, who late didst gay appear
Gaudy as Spring, and with thy Songs didst chear
My well pleasd thoughts, now like to Sable night
Aray thy self, disrobd of all thy light;
With Cyprus bind thy Brows; this mournful Theam
Admits no Day, Grief here is too extream
To be observd by vulgar prying Eyes,
Who know not in true Greif to Sympathize.
This noble Sorrow is unfeignd. True Love
In Mercinary numbers scorns to move,
But still keeps Harmony with that above.
Hes gone. The Brave amongst the Great lies low;
True Tyrant Death, who will no pity show,
Snatchd him from hence: at least his better part
Which shines above, bright as his great desert.
In Heaven he Triumphs, whilst on Earth his Name
Is Breathd aloud by the strong blast of fame;
The Man who truly Loyal durst to be,
When Torrent Faction ragd to that degree,
That once again it pushd at Monarchy:
Who Atlas like, did help sustain the weight
Of Leaning Empire, when the wheel of fate
Almost flew from its Axle, and a fear
Possessd some Men, Heavn did neglect its care;
Even then his great unbiasd Soul stood firm,
No fear of Danger, nor no threats could charm
His moving Orb ere to run Retrogade,
His Princes Intrest, his cheif care was made;
He feard no frowns, in vain Temptations were,
Uprightness still did all his Actions square;
In publick and in private, Justice shind
In more uprightness ner before inshrind:
In vain aspersions were, like Christal He
Cast of the stains of unjust obliquy.
The banded party, which in Treason set,
Was by his Prudence countermind; the fret
Of Monarchy, the rude Anarchial rout,
Who sought to bring their black designs about,

Queld by that awful power derivd from him
Who wears the British Empires Diadem.
In haughty pride they durst no more appear,
But in close Corners, hissing loud, they rear
Their Heads, impolitick, until at last,
That Venom that would fain three Kingdoms blast
Was on the ground in vain at Random cast.
The Laws great Oracle in him is set,
Centerd in him both Law and Reason met.
Precedents justly poisd had still due place,
And due Proportion ruld in every Case.
Orphans and Widdows tears who were opprest,
Never departed from him unredrest.
The Proud and Rich, who thought twas in their Power
The Scales of Justice, with a Golden showr,
To turn with ease, found her poisd Ballance right,
Not to be alterd, nor by Gold or Might.
Retird from business, still his mind was bent
Timprove that Talant his Creator lent,
And make it plain appear, in each degree,
He was the Pattern of Humility.
Then let his Memory for ever live;
Times self to that can ner a period give;
The Gowns chief boast to after times hel be,
Ages to come shall read his History;
And strive to Copy his deserved praise;
Thinking him worthy of Immortal Bays,


EPITAPH.
BEneath this Marble, how can it be said
ImmortalScroggs, a Man so just is laid?
Tis but his dust, Reader, suppose no more,
The rests in Heaven, tis there layd up in store,
Till with loud sounds the Trumpet wakes the dead,
And rising dust is with fresh Beauty clad;
Then shall he live above the Worlds renown,
And wear forever Virtues shining Crown.
FINIS.
LONDON: Printed by J. Grantham, in the Year, MDCLXXXIII.

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