On Shakespeare
What needs my Shakespeare for his honour'd Bones, The labour of an age in pilèd Stones, Or that his hallow'd reliques should be hid Under a stary pointing Pyramid? Dear son of Memory, great heir of Fame, What need'st thou such weak witnes of thy name? Thou in our wonder and astonishment Hast built thy self a live-long Monument. For whilst to th' shame of slow-endeavouring art, Thy easie numbers flow, and that each heart Hath from the leaves of thy unvalu'd Book Those Delphick lines with deep impression took, Then thou our fancy of it self bereaving, Dost make us Marble with too much conceaving; And so Sepulcher'd in such pomp dost lie, That Kings for such a Tomb would wish to die.
Credit
This poem is in the public domain.
Date Published
01/01/1630