He join’d not in their choice, because he knew
  Worse might, and often did, from change ensue. 
  Much to himself he thought; but little spoke;
  And, undeprived, his benefice forsook.

    Now, through the land, his cure of souls he stretch’d;
  And like a primitive apostle preach’d: 
  Still cheerful; ever constant to his call;
  By many follow’d; loved by most, admired by all. 130
  With what he begg’d, his brethren he relieved: 
  And gave the charities himself received. 
  Gave, while he taught; and edified the more,
  Because he showed, by proof, ’twas easy to be poor.

    He went not with the crowd to see a shrine;
  But fed us, by the way, with food divine.

    In deference to his virtues, I forbear
  To show you what the rest in orders were: 
  This brilliant is so spotless and so bright,
  He needs no foil, but shines by his own proper light. 140

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FOOTNOTES: 

[Footnote 80:  This poem is intended as a palinode for some of Dryden’s former misdeeds, and partly as a covert panegyric on the Nonjuring clergy.]

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THE END.