[From Jonsonus Virbius , the volume of elegies issued after Jonson's death under the editorship of Brian Duppa, dean of Christ Church college, Oxford.]
Meade (1616-53) graduated BA at Oxford in 1638 and MA in 1641. While at Westminster School, he wrote a commendatory verse to his schoolfellow Abraham Cowley's Poeticall Blossoms (1633); his comedy, The Combat of Love and Friendship , was printed in 1654. He was a captain in the Royalist army in 1640, and became an MD in 1646.
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Our Bayes (me thinks) are withered, and they looke
As if (though thunder-free) with envy, strooke;
While the triumphant Cipresse boast to be
Design'd, as fitter for thy companie.
Where shall we now find one dares boldly write,
Free from base flattery yet as void of spight?
That grovels not in's Satyres, but soares high,
Strikes at the mounting vices, can descry
With his quicke Eagles Pen those glorious crimes,
That either dazle, or affright the Times?
Thy strength of Judgement oft did thwart the tide
O'th' foaming multitude, when to their side
Throng'd plush, and silken censures, whilst it chose,
(As that which could distinguish Men from cloathes,
Faction from judgement) still to keepe thy Bayes
From the suspition of a vulgar praise.
But why wrong I thy memory whilst I strive,
In such a Verse as mine to keep't alive?
Well wee may toyle, and shew our wits the racke;
Torture our needy fancies, yet still lacke
Worthy Expressions Thy great losse to moane,
Being none can fully praise thee but thy owne.
R. MEADE
(sig. I2r)