Page:Poetical Works of John Oldham.djvu/34

24 Thou scornedst such laziness while here beneath, And livedst that time which others only breathe. Next our just wonder does commence, How so small room could hold such excellence. Nature was proud when she contrived thy frame, In thee she laboured for a name: Hence 'twas she lavished all her store, As if she meant hereafter to be poor, And, like a bankrupt, run o' th' score. Her curious hand here drew in straits, and joined All the perfections lodged in human kind; Teaching her numerous gifts to lie Cramped in a short epitome. So stars contracted in a diamond shine, And jewels in a narrow point confine The riches of an Indian mine. Thus subtle artists can Draw nature's larger self within a span: A small frame holds the world, earth, heavens and all Shrunk to the scant dimensions of a ball. Those parts which never in one subject dwell, But some uncommon excellence foretell, Like stars, did all constellate here, And met together in one sphere. Thy judgment, wit and memory conspired To make themselves and thee admired; And could thy growing height a longer stay have known, Thou hadst all other glories, and thyself out-done. While some to knowledge by degrees arrive, Through tedious industry improved, Thine scorned by such pedantic rules to thrive, But swift as that of angels moved, And made us think it was intuitive. Thy pregnant mind ne'er struggled in its birth, But quick, and while it did conceive, brought forth;