dickory cronke(迪克雷·克龙克)-第7章
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Thus lived and thus died this extraordinary person； a person； though of
mean extraction and obscure life； yet when his character comes to be fully
and truly known； it will be read with pleasure； profit； and admiration。
His perfections at large would be the work of a volume； and
inconsistent with the intention of these papers。 I will； therefore； only add；
for a conclusion； that he was a man of uncommon thought and judgment；
and always kept his appetites and inclinations within their just limits。
His reason was strong and manly； his understanding sound and active；
and his temper so easy； equal； and complaisant； that he never fell out；
either with men or accidents。 He bore all things with the highest
affability； and computed justly upon their value and consequence； and then
applied them to their proper uses。
A LETTER FROM OXFORD
Sir；
Being informed that you speedily intend to publish some memoirs
relating to our dumb countryman； Dickory Cronke； I send you herewith a
few lines； in the nature of an elegy； which I leave you to dispose of as you
think fit。 I knew and admired the man； and if I were capable； his
character should be the first thing I would attempt。
Yours。 &c。
AN ELEGY； IN MEMORY OF DICKORY CRONKE； THE DUMB
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DICKORY CRONKE
PHILOSOPHER。
Vitiis nemo sine nascitur； optimus ille est； Qui minimus urgetur。
HORACE。
If virtuous actions emulation raise； Then this good man deserves
immortal praise。 When nature such extensive wisdom lent； She sure
designed him for our precedent。 Such great endowments in a man
unknown； Declare the blessings were not all his own； But rather granted
for a time to show What the wise hand of Providence can do。 In him we
may a bright example see Of nature； justice； and morality； A mind not
subject to the frowns of fate； But calm and easy in a servile state。 He
always kept a guard upon his will And feared no harm because he knew no
ill。 A decent posture and an humble mien； In every action of his life were
seen。 Through all the different stages that he went； He still appeared both
wise and diligent： Firm to his word； and punctual to his trust； Sagacious；
frugal； arable； and just。 No gainful views his bounded hopes could sway；
No wanton thought led his chaste soul astray。 In short； his thoughts and
actions both declare； Nature designed him her philosopher； That all
mankind； by his example taught； Might learn to live； and manage every
thought。 Oh！ could my muse the wondrous subject grace； And； from his
youth； his virtuous actions trace； Could I in just and equal numbers tell
How well he lived； and how devoutly fell； I boldly might your strict
attention claim； And bid you learn； and copy out the man。
J。 P。 Exeter College； August 25th； 1719。
EPITAPH
The occasion of this epitaph was briefly thus：… A gentleman； who had
heard much in commendation of this dumb man； going accidentally to the
churchyard where he was buried； and finding his grave without a
tombstone； or any manner of memorandum of his death； he pulled out his
pencil； and writ as follows：…
PAUPER UBIQUE JACET。
Near to this lonely unfrequented place； Mixed with the common dust；
neglected lies The man that every muse should strive to grace； And all the
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DICKORY CRONKE
world should for his virtue prize。 Stop； gentle passenger； and drop a tear；
Truth； justice； wisdom； all lie buried here。
What； though he wants a monumental stone； The common pomp of
every fool or knave； Those virtues which through all his actions shone
Proclaim his worth； and praise him in the grave。 His merits will a bright
example give； Which shall both time and envy too outlive。
Oh； had I power but equal to my mind； A decent tomb should soon this
place adorn； With this inscription： Lo； here lies confined A wondrous
man； although obscurely born； A man； though dumb； yet he was nature's
care； Who marked him out her own philosopher。
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