John Dryden(1631–1700)
To the Memory of Mr. Oldham
Farewell, too little, a n d too lately known,
W h o m I b e g a n to think a n d call my own:
F o r sure our souls were n e a r allied, a n d thine
C a s t in the s a m e poetic m o l d with m i n e . 8
O n e c o m m o n note on either lyre did strike,
A n d knaves a n d fools we both a b h o r r e d alike.
To the same goal did both our studies 0 drive;endeavors
T h e last set out the s o o n e s t did arrive.
T h u s N i s u s 9 fell u p o n the slippery place,
While his young friend performed 0 and won the race.completed
O early ripe! to thy a b u n d a n t store
W h a t c o u l d a d v a n c i n g a g e have a d d e d m o r e ?
It m i g h t (what n a t u r e never gives the young)
H a v e t a u g h t the n u m b e r s 0 of thy native tongue.metrics
B u t satire n e e d s not those, a n d wit will shine
T h r o u g h the harsh c a d e n c e of a r u g g e d line:
A noble error, a n d but s e l d o m m a d e ,
W h e n p o e t s are by too m u c h f o r c e betrayed.
Thy generous fruits, though gathered ere their prime,
Still showed a quickness, 0 and maturing timer sharpness
B u t m e l l o w s w h a t w e w r i t e t o t h e d u l l s w e e t s o f r h y m e . J
Once more, hail and farewell; farewell, thou young,
But ah too short, Marcellus 1 of our tongue;
Thy brows with ivy, and with laurels bound;
But fate and gloomy night encompass thee around. 2