An Epitaph on Robert Port, Esq design'd for a Monument — And now set up in Elum Church, in the County of Stafford

Vertue in those good times that bred good Men
No testimony crav'd of Tongue; or Pen.
No marble Columns; nor engraven Brass,
To tell the World that such a Person was:
For then each Pious Act, to fair descent,
Stood for the worthy Owner's Monument:
But in this change of Manners, and of States.
Good Names, though writ in Marble, have their fates.
Such is the barb'rous, and irrev'rent rage
That arms the Rabble of this impious Age.

Yet may this happy Stone that bares a Name,
(Such as no bold Surviver dares to claim)
To Ages yet unbron unblemish't stand,
Safe from the stroke of an inhumane Hand.

Here, Reader, here a Port's sad Reliques lye
To teach the careless World Mortality;
Who while he Mortal was unrivall'd stood
The Crown, and Glory of his Antient blood.
[…] for his Princes, and his Countries trust,
[…] to God, and to his Neighbour just.
A loyal Husband to his latest end,
A gracious Father, and a faithfull Friend.
Belov'd he liv'd, and dy'd o'recharg'd with Years,
Fuller of Honour than of Silver Hairs.
And, to sum up his Vertues, this was he
Who was what all we should, but cannot be.