He that should search all glories of the gown, And steps of all raised servants of the crown, He could not find, than thee of all that store Whom Fortune aided less, or virtue more. Such, Coke, were thy beginnings, when thy good In others' evil best was understood: When, being the stranger's help, the poor man's aid, Thy just defences made the oppressor afraid. Such was thy process, when integrity, And skill in thee, now, grew authority; That clients strove, in question of the laws, More for thy patronage, than for their cause, And that thy strong and manly eloquence Stood up thy nation's fame, her crown's defence, And now such is thy stand; while thou dost deal Desired justice to the public weal Like Solon's self; explat'st the knotty laws With endless labours, whilst thy learning draws No less of praise, than readers in all kinds Of worthiest knowledge, that can take men's minds. Such is thy all; that (as I sung before) None Fortune aided less, or virtue more. Of if chance must, to each man that doth rise, Needs lend an aid, to thine she had her eyes. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE HAYSTACK IN THE FLOODS by WILLIAM MORRIS (1834-1896) THE LAURELS ARE FELLED by THEODORE FAULLAIN DE BANVILLE REVERY by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD A SHEPHERD'S DREAM by NICHOLAS BRETON TRAILING ARBUTUS by JOHN BURROUGHS |