IV. ON JAMES CRAGGS, ESQ.* IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY. JACOBUS CRAGGS, REGNI MAGNE BRITANNIE A SECRETIS ET CONSILIIS SANCTIORIBUS, PRINCIPIS PARITER AC POPULI AMOR ET DELICIA: VIXIT TITULIS ET INVIDIA MAJOR ANNOS, HEU PAUCOS, XXXV. OB. FEB. XIV. MDCCXX. STATESMAN, yet friend to truth! of soul sincere, 5 * He was the only son of James Craggs, who has been before mentioned. He had his education at a French seminary in Chelsea afterwards he went to Hanover, and then to the court of Turin. He removed to Barcelona; and in the absence of lord Stanhope, served as under-minister to the emperor. On the death of queen Anne, he was sent to Hanover, for which he was made, by the assistance of the duke of Marlborough, cofferer to the prince, and afterwards principal secretary of state. Considering the violent state of parties, no one had fewer enemies. V. ON MR. ROWE, IN WESTMINSTER-ABBFY. THY relics, Rowe! to this sad shrine we trust, To these, so mourn'd in death, so loved in life! The childless parent, and the widow'd wife, With tears inscribes this monumental stone, That holds their ashes, and expects her own. 10 The following is the epitaph as it was originally written; but which was afterwards altered for the monument in the Abbey, erected to Rowe and his daughter : Thy relics, Rowe, to this fair urn we trust, VI. ON MRS. CORBET, WHO DIED OF A CANCER IN HER BREAST. HERE rests a woman, good without pretence, 10 5 VII. ON THE MONUMENT OF THE HON. ROBERT DIGBY, AND OF HIS SISTER MARY, Erected by their father, the Lord Digby, in the church of Sherborne in Dorsetshire, 1727. 5 Go! fair example of untainted youth, 10 And thou, bless'd maid! attendant on his doom, Yet take these tears, mortality's relief; 15 20 11 And thou, bless'd maid! Mr. Robert Digby, third son of lord Digby, who is yet remembered with respect at Sherborne, died of a consumption, and was soon after followed by the amiable and affectionate sister, who hung over his sick bed. VIII. ON SIR GODFREY KNELLER, IN WESTMINSTER-ABBEY, 1723. KNELLER, by Heaven and not a master taught, Whose art was nature, and whose pictures thought; Now for two ages having snatch'd from fate Whate'er was beauteous, or whate'er was great, Lies crown'd with princes' honors, poets' lays, 5 Due to his merit, and brave thirst of praise. Living, great Nature fear'd he might outvie Her works; and, dying, fears herself may die. |