The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume I.Cibber, Theophilus
General
The Lives of the Poets of Great Britain and Ireland (1753) Volume I.
Cibber, Theophilus
Poets, English -- Biography -- Early works to 1800; Poets, Irish -- Biography -- Early works to 1800
Finding all the efforts of the surgeons in vain, he began to put no
more confidence in their skill, and resigned himself with heroic
patience to his fate. He called the ministers to him, who were all
excellent men of different nations, and before them made such a
confession of Christian faith, as no book, but the heart, can truly
and feelingly deliver. Then calling for his will, and settling his
temporal affairs, the last scene of this tragedy, was the parting
between the two brothers. Sir Philip exerted all his soul in
endeavouring to suppress his sorrow, in which affection and nature
were too powerful for him, while the other demonstrated his tenderness
by immoderate transports of grief, a weakness which every tender
breast will easily forgive, who have ever felt the pangs of parting
from a brother; and a brother of Sir Philip Sidney's worth, demanded
still additional sorrow. He took his leave with these admonishing
words, "My dear, much loved, honoured brother, love my memory; cherish
my friends; their faith to me may assure you they are honest. But
above all, govern your will and affections, by the will and word of
your Creator. In me, beholding the end of this world with all her
vanities." And with this farewel he desired the company to lead him
away.
After his death, which happened on the 16th of October, the States of
Zealand became suitors to his Majesty, and his noble friends, that
they might have the honour of burying his body at the public expence
of their government,[4] but in this they were denied; for soon after,
his body was brought to Flushing, and being embarked with great
solemnity on the 1st of November, landed at Tower Wharf on the 6th of
the same month; and the 16th of February following, after having lain
in state, it was magnificently deposited in St. Paul's Cathedral.
As the funeral of many princes has not exceeded it in solemnity, so
few have equalled it in the undissembled sorrow for his loss[5] King
James writ an epitaph upon him, and the Muses of Oxford lamenting him,
composed elegies to his memory. It may be justly said of this great
man, what a celebrated poet now living has applied to Archbishop Laud,
Around his tomb did art and genius weep,
Beauty, wit, piety, and bravery, were undissembled
mourners.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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