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EBBA 33371

National Library of Scotland - Crawford
Ballad XSLT Template
To see how soon the fatal Hand of Death,

[?], who can forbear to weep,

To see how soon the fatal Hand of Death,
After his Mayoralty, could snatch the Breath
Of such a Wife, Judicious Magistrate!
One of the Pillars of our present State.

When Death the Glories of this World will shake,
He on the Mighty dos a Conquest make,
And takes em from the Place of Trust and Care,
To live where Saints forever happy are:

In Blessed Regions of Celestial Love,
Which neither Storm nor Tempest can remove,
Of this contentious restless World below;
For there perpetual Joys like Rivers flow.

His quiet Soul shall there in Glory reign;
Tis only we have Reason to complain,
That Death such Subjects to the Grave should bring,
While they are serviceable to their King.

Two years and more, he governd here with care,
Still doing what was honest, just and fair,
Between the King and Subject constantly,
In Love and Truth, without partiality.

No Fear nor Favour coud his Judgment sway,
Nor could his upright Heart be drawn away
From Justice by the Gifts of Golden Oar,
For he had seen too much of that before.

When Laws did on the brink of Ruine stand,
And Rome did seem to bear the sole Command,
Still flowing on us like a mighty Floud,
And punishd Men merely for being good.

Amongst the rest, Sir THOMAS PILKINGTON,
Did feel that Storm and Stream against him run;
Who being long confind in Prison, where
He did his Cross with Christian Patience bear.

That he Three times obtaind a Legal Choice.

But stay my Muse, why do we rove so far,
Since Death hath dimnd the Glory of his Star?
Let me return back to his mournfull Herse,
There to present this sad relenting Verse.

How are the Mighty fallen by the Hand
Of Death! who never doth disputing stand:
The highest pitch of Honour he will meet,
And make them lay their Trophies at his Feet.

Yet tho he may Mans Worldly Glory blast,
Yet he the Righteous will convey at last
Unto the Mansions of eternal Joy,
Which neither Time nor Death shall eer destroy.

Theres neither Sighs, nor sad lamenting Tears,
Nor dying Groans for to invade our Ears;
But Songs of Triumph sung on eery side,
By Saints and Angels, which are glorifyd.

Farewel Sir THOMAS, thou art happy made,
Whose spotless Soul was carefully conveyd
From this tumultuous World, on Angels Wings,
As a sweet Present to the KING of Kings.

EPITAPH.

HEre lies a Magistrate of worthy Fame,
Who in his Time sad Troubles has run through:
Lord Mayor of London, Pilkington by Name,
To King and Subjects ever just and true.


FINIS.

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