¶ Now I am dead, am I quite out of mind?
What left I nothing? prov'd I so unkind
Unto the place I lov'd so well? what then?
Hath rigid Time thus chang'd the hearts of men?
Are men forgetfull of those things th'admir'd?
Or are men with too much admiring [...]ir'd?
How comes it then to passe that Gresham's Will
Is thus perverted? some thing's extant still,
Which might put you in mind: discharge your duty,
And bring my former gifts to former beauty.
'Mongst divers gifts I gave (because I lov'd
The City) mine owne house to be improv'd
For learned uses, that the Ignorant
Might there be taught▪ I yeerly means did g [...]a [...]
To able men, to read the liberall Arts
Continually: but who is't that imparts
His skill i'th Sciences to others gaine?
If fools they come, they fools must still remaine:
There's nought perform'd of what I then intended;
How little's done, and yet how much pretended?
Now whereas they should imitate the Bee,
Who labours for to gather Honey, she
Doth not it eat her selfe, but keeps in store
For others good; or like the Cook, the more
He dresses Meat the lesse he eats; the Meat
He doth prepare indeed, but others eat.
These men doe nothing lesse, their Art they keep
Unto themselves, so none can profit reap:
And if men come with them for to discourse,
Their n [...]'re the better if they're ne're the worse;
By ranglings, questions come to be dissentions;
Men seek for profit, but they find contentions.
They're there by me maintain'd for others good;
But if intentions may be understood,
By outward actions, it's for love of gaines,
They read at all, or take that little paines
They doe; not love to Learning, or to make
Their Country skilfull Artists, but the sake
Of Money them compels: I'de think my cost
Was well bestowed, If I might not be crost
In mine intentions; which are these, That they
Should read their Lectures every one each day,
And contribute that Science that they have
Unto such men th [...]t doe their Science crave:
Why then they would fulfill my first intentions,
And men might profit get by their conventions:
What credit would it be unto the City
To see Art flourish? but alas what pitty
It is to see my labour come to nought,
My great expences thus to nothing brought.
Truly me thinks I've heard the sad complaint
Of Artists, who desire to learne, but can't;
'Cause Lecture's read so seldome, onely they
Have profit who at home at Tearm-time stay.
All men at Tearm-time cannot Lectures heed,
If not in Tearm-time they no Lectures read;
Nay they will not; these are the terms they use,
They me disparage, and my gifts abuse.
Truly me thinks it were more charitable,
It to bestow upon the poor, not able
Themselves for to maintaine, but are a charge
Unto the City; this would be a large
And gratefull gift unto poor maimed men,
And unto all distressed Widdowes; then
This would encourage each man to defend
His Country, though it'h War his Life he end▪
My meanes thus being dispos'd my house might be
Made Tenements for Hospitality;
And these seven men might doe the Church and State
More worthy service if they'de dedicate
Their studious labours to Divinity,
(The Church of such men hath great need) whereby
They'de doe more good then now they doe;
For now their labour sum'd up, mounts but to
A nothing▪ nought is the result of all
Their labours; nought is all that they can call
Of their owne gettings, not what they can doe;
But what they doe, from thence nought doth ensue▪
Observe this (for your good) let none that make
The Covenant prejudiciall, it won't take
Within that house to dwell, let them be outed,
Let all Malignants totally be routed.
Of all I've spoken, this is the effect,
That you would mind, regard, and have respect
Unto my Will; see if I there doe mention
Any set time (but in some's apprehension)
That they should read onely in Tearm-time; why,
Surely they ought to read continually;
For otherwise, if they don't read each day,
Why should they for each day receive their pay?
Or see if in my Will I mention make,
That they should read in Latin; they mistake
That think they should: it was for England's good,
English in England is best understood.
I doe confesse, that some here Artists are,
But yet so pettish-stout, that all their care
Is for to keep all other men from gaining
By what they have, not help men in attaining
Their expectations; yet (I say) th [...]re be
Some men that are unfit for Teachers: see
How these come in, it is by others Letters,
That specifie their Art (whereas their Betters
Both in Art and Learning wanting such writings,
They are put by both with disgrace and slightings)
When art lesse they enjoy their places, and
They thus get meanes by dealing underhand;
Therefore I think most fit that they should be
Elected by the whole Society
Of Mathematicks, then unquestionable,
Those chosen men will be elected able.
Well, all that I desire is Reformation,
And this is all I have in expection:
It is for all mens good (pray) do't in time,
Knowing that opportunity's the prime
Of humane wisdome. Time is bald behind
(Oh! would this were imprinted in your mind!)
Take him by's fore-top, opportunity;
In time apply a salve, a remedy,
Before the sore be past a cure, and then
To cure that wound is past the power of men.
Mark well what I have spoken, don't delay
To mend the Breach, while mend the Breach you may.
Oh! would my words with you effect might take!
Oh! would you would my words successive make!
I have much more to say, but that I feare,
If I should stay, that some Ghost would me heare,
And me surprize, for breaking forth the Den
Of Death, and so I ne're come forth agen:
I must be gone, alas! I dare not stay,
The light begins to shine, I must away.