SIR EDWARD SHERBURNE. BORN 1616; DIED 1702. THIS gentleman suffered much from his devotion to the cause of royalty, during the civil wars. His literary reputation appears to have rested more on his translations, than on his original poems: in the latter, however, we find considerable elegance of verse and beauty of thought, but vitiated, after the fashion of the time, by glittering conceits. What is, unhappily, not usual, the sacred pieces of SHERBURNE are distinguished from his lighter effusions by a superior and more spirited style. SIR EDWARD SHERBURNE. TO THE ETERNAL WISDOM. O THOU eternal Mind! whose wisdom sees, O whilst for wealthy spoils these fight, let me, ON THE INNOCENTS SLAIN BY HEROD. Go, blessed innocents! and freely pour Nor of original pollution fear The stains should to your bloods adhere; For yours now shed, ere long shall in a flood Be wash'd of better blood. EPIGRAM, ON MARY MAGDALEN WASHING THE FEET OF CHRIST. THE proud Egyptian queen her Roman guest (To express her love-in height of state and pleasure) With pearl dissolv'd in gold did feast Both food and treasure. And now, dear Lord! thy lover, on the fair CONSCIENCE. INTERNAL Cerberus! whose griping fangs, Thou greedy vulture! that dost gorging tire The voice of God in man! which, without rest, "AND THEY LAID HIM IN A MANGER." HAPPY crib! that wert alone, To my God-bed, cradle, throne! He whose hands the heavens display'd, Of all ornaments despoil'd! Perfumes bathe him not new-born; Persian mantles not adorn; Nor do the rich roofs look bright |