The Poetical Works of Matthew Prior...: bl.] p

FOR MY OWN MONUMENT.

I.

As Doctors give phyfick by way of prevention,
Matt, alive and in health, of his Tombstone took cares
For delays are unfafe, and his pious intention
May haply be never fulfill'd by his heir.

11.

Then take Matt's word for it the fculptor is paid;
That the figure is fine *, pray believe your own eye;
Yet credit but lightly what more may be faid,
For we flatter ourselves, and teach marble to lie. 8
111.

Yet counting as far as to fifty his years,

His virtues and vices were as other men's are;

High hopes he conceiv'd, andhefmother'dgreat fears, In a life party-colour'd, half pleasure, half care. 12

IV.

Nor to bus'nefs a drudge, nor to faction a flave,
He ftrove to make int'reft and freedom agree;
In publick employments induftrious and grave,
And alone with his friends, Lord how merry was he!

V.

Now in equipage fiately, now humbly on foot, Both fortunes he try'd, but to neither wou'd trust;

15

Alluding to the bufto carved by the famous Coriveaux at Paris, on his monument in Weflminfter abbey.

Volume 11.

R

And whirl'd in the round as the wheel turn'd about,

He found riches had wings, and knew man was but

VI.

This verfe, little polish'd, tho' mighty sincerc,
Sets neither his titles nor merit to view;
It fays that his relicks collected lie here,
And no mortal yet knows if this may be true.

VII.

[duft.

2F

24

Fierce robbers there are that infeft the highway,
So Matt may be kill'd, and his bones never found;
Falfe witnefs at court, and fierce tempefts at fea,
So Matt may yet chance to be hang'd or be drown'd.28
VIII.

If his bones lie in earth, roll in sea, fly in air,
To Fate we must yield, and the thing is the fame;
And if paffing thou giv'ft him a smile or a tear,
He cares not yet pr'y thee be kind to his fame. 32

CONTENTS.

EPISTLES.

An epistle to Fleetwood Shephard, Efq. 1689,

To ditto, 1689,

Page

8

Ad virum doctiffimum, et amicum, dominum Sa-

muelem Schaw,

To ditto,

Prefented to the King, at his arrival in Holland,
after the difcovery of the confpiracy 1696,

To a child of quality. Five years old, 1704, the

Author then forty,