When time was young, & World in Infancy, Man did not proudly strive for Soveraignty: But each one thought his petty Rule was high, If of his house he held the Monarchy....
Stout Romulus, Romes founder, and first King, Whom vestal Rhea to the world did bring; His Father was not Mars as some devis'd, But 'mulus in Armour all disguiz'd:...
Cyrus Cambyses Son of Persia King, Whom Lady Mandana did to him bring, She daughter unto great Astiages, He in descent the seventh from Arbaces. Cambyses was of Achemenes race,...
Great Alexander was wise Philips son, He to Amyntas, Kings of Macedon; The cruel proud Olympias was his Mother, She to Epirus warlike King was daughter. This Prince (his father by Pausanias slain)...
As he said vanity, so vain say I, Oh! vanity, O vain all under Sky; Where is the man can say, lo, I have found On brittle Earth a Consolation sound? What is't in honour to be set on high?...
By duty bound, and not by custome led To celebrate the praises of the dead, My mournfull mind, sore prest, in trembling verse Presents my Lamentations at his Herse, Who was my Father, Guide, Instructor too,...
And live I still to see relations gone, And yet survive to sound this wailing tone; Ah, woe is me, to write thy Funeral Song, Who might in reason yet have lived long,...