AN
ELEGY
On the much Lamented Death of
Sr. BARTHOLOMEW SHOWER Knight,
Late famous Councelor at Law, and one of the late Members of
Parliament; who departed this Life at his House in the Inner-
Temple-Lane, on Thursday the 4th of December 1701, in the
40th Year of his Age.
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IF ever England Mourn'd for Man of Sence,
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The self same Cause doth now again Commence:
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If drops of Tears were ever Mortals due,
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Great SHOWER, whole streams, ought to be shed for you:
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Old Albion is of such a Man bereft,
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As scarce behind him such a One is left.
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Bewail'd thou art, by all that understood,
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True English Safety, and their Country's Good.
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By all who stand up for a righteous Cause,
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By all that Love, our English Church and Laws:
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Some Men there are, but wicked Men they be,
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Who now rejoyce, this fatal Loss to see,
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Those who fresh Faction and new Strife contrive
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And could not do it while he was Alive;
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Perhaps again, their env'ous hopes renew,
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And base designes of Mischief fresh persue;
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Now HE is gon, who like a solid Rock,
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Their furious Tides, and raving Billows broke,
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Those Men who never from reproach refrain,
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Will try in vain, this Great Man's Fame to stain;
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In spite of those my Muse her Voice shall raise,
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And tho' in Tears, will Sing his juster Praise:
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While black Mouth'd Legions strive to blast his Fame,
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Truth shall repeat his never Dying Name.
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When few durst, secret Knaves and Fools oppose,
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He boldly then Impeach'd the Nations Foes:
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To ill designing Men, a Check he gave,
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And scorn'd to fear, those who wou'd us Enslave;
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When in the noble Senate of our Land,
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He did a Pillar of his Country stand;
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None could his Zeal or Courage there abate,
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Against the underminers of our State;
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But bravely did our Church and Land defend,
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True Peace and Justice was his only end:
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Oppos'd the Votes of all the Factious brood,
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And stoutly all their dark Intreigues withstood
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True to his Client, spar'd no Pains nor Care,
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Exceeding Wise, and Famous at the Bar,
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And would not Vote, for rash and hasty War.
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He could from Fees, in an ill Cause abstain,
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And ne're was greedy of unlawful Gain;
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He boldly Spoke and always with Applause
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In true defence of Englands Peace and Laws:
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From his clear Fame disolved Clouds shall throw,
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And leave the Earthly Vapours, all below
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Endow'd with best of Gifts kind Stars dispence,
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The greatest Lawyer, both for Wit and Sence.
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Not only Good but Beautiful and Fair,
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He liv'd belov'd, but Dy'd without an Heir,
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Grim Death first seiz'd him in the House of Prayer.
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His vertuous Lady, tho' with modest Grace,
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Bedewes with brinish Tears her beautious Face:
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And well she may, at this great cause of Grief,
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Such fatal Loss, admits of no relief:
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Her pious Soul, doth her true Sorrow show,
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For her half self, she's forced to forgo.
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But chear up Madam, for his better part,
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Now shines above, Bright as his great Desert:
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In Heaven he Tryumphs, while on Earth his Name
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Is Echo'd forth by the strong blast of Fame,
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The Gown's Chief Boast to after times he'l be,
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Ages to come shall read his History;
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And strive to Copy his deserved Praise
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For he is Worthy of Immortal Bays.
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MOST famous Shower, here in the Dust is laid,
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Who when Alive, of none was er'e afraid:
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His Souls enlarg'd, 'tis boundless, unconfin'd,
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He's left the jaring, factious World behind.
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Approach his Grave, ye Loyal, Good and Just;
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But let no Whigish Fop disturb his Dust.
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Rich, Good, Belov'd, he Dy'd; and what is more,
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A Lawer, and gave Largely to the Poor:
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Thus is the World Exstinguish'd of a Light,
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The brightest Day, must look to have a Night.
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