The picture of the unfortunate
gentleman, Sir Gervis Eluies Knight.
late leiftenant of his Majesties Tower of London.
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Behold him aright whose office & estate,
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Unwisely manag'd, made him unfortunate:
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And whose flattring hopes of popular grace,
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Rob'd him of life, favoures dignity, and place.
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Yet let the worst of him thus much conceait,
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A foe to himselfe, in striving to be great:
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Worshipfull by birth, debonare and kind,
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Perfect in all, but the purpose o' minde.
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Thorough which, he vainely ayming over hye,
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Deceaived himselfe and won blame thereby:
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For in thinking to better his degree,
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Fortune betrayd him with false hopes we see.
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The golden meanes was not his harts content,
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Nor countrey life, with quiet slumbers spent:
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But watchful cares, and charges of estate,
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The onely aymes his hart made levell at.
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So climing up to dignity & fame,
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Forgot what daungers dwelt about the same:
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But seated on the top of Fortunes mount,
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He little thought so soone to give account,
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Of his amisse: and deeds of secret sin;
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Of which by law he was found guilty in.
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And being cast, as Justice had ordain'd,
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His soule for heavenly mercy still complain'd:
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And so with true repentance leaving earth,
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Tooke patiently his just deserved death.
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Rest then in peace on Sions holy hill,
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Perswasions trayn'd thee unto this cursed ill:
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Which if to it thou never had'st given consent,
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Thy dayes had beene in gracious maner spent.
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