Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/250

 He leap'd the present age, Possest with holy rage To see that bright eternal Day Of which we Priests and Poets say Such truths as we expect for happy men; And there he lives with memory&mdash;and Ben

Jonson: who sung this of him, ere he went Himself to rest, Or tast a part of that full joy he meant To have exprest In this bright Asterism Where it were friendship's schism&mdash; Were not his Lucius long with us to tarry&mdash; To separate these twy Lights, the Dioscuri, And keep the one half from his Harry. But fate doth so alternate the design, Whilst that in Heav'n, this light on earth must shine.

And shine as you exalted are! Two names of friendship, but one star: Of hearts the union: and those not by chance Made, or indenture, or leased out to advance The profits for a time. No pleasures vain did chime Of rimes or riots at your feasts, Orgies of drink or feign'd protests; But simple love of greatness and of good, That knits brave minds and manners more than blood.

This made you first to know the Why You liked, then after, to apply