Death & Dying
The Picture of the Vnfortunate Gentleman, Sir Geruis Eluies Knight
From English Broadside Ballads (TCP)
Behold him aright whose office & estate,
Vnwisely manag'd, made him vnfortunate:
And whose flattring hopes of popular grace,
Rob'd him of life, fauoures dignity, and place.
Yet let the worst of him thus much conceait,
A foe to him selfe, in striuing to be great:
Worshipfull by birth, deborare and kind,
Perfect in all, but the purpose of minde.
Thorough which, he vainely ayming ouer hye,
Deceaiued him selfe and won blame thereby:
For in thinking to better his degree,
Fortune betrayd him with false hopes we see.
The golden meanes was not his harts content,
Nor countrey life, with quiet slumbers spent:
But watchful cares, and charges of estate,
The onely aymes his hart made leuell at.
So climing vp to dignity & fame,
Forgot what daungers dwelt about the same:
But seated on the top of Fortunes mount,
He little thought so soone to giue account,
Of his amisse: and deeds of secret sin;
Of which by law he was found guillty in.
And being cast, as Iustice had ordain'd,
His soule for heauenly mercy still complain'd:
And so with true repentance leauing earth,
Tooke patiently his iust deserued death.
Rest then in peace on Sions holy hill,
Perswasions trayn'd thee vnto this cursed ill:
Which if to it thou neuer had'st giuen consent,
Thy dayes had beene in gracious maner spent.
Codex Note
Full title: The picture of the vnfortunate gentleman, Sir Geruis Eluies Knight. late leiftenant of his Maiesties Tower of London. TCP A21276 (1615).
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous (English broadside ballads). “The Picture of the Vnfortunate Gentleman, Sir Geruis Eluies Knight.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-english-broadsides/37/.
Chicago
Anonymous (English broadside ballads). “The Picture of the Vnfortunate Gentleman, Sir Geruis Eluies Knight.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-english-broadsides/37/.
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