An Epigram. To A Certain Gentleman Poem by Nicholas Amhurst

How vain, Sir Knight, is thy affected Rage,
That Thou and Wolsey in the self--same Page
Stand charg'd alike?--The Cardinal, 'tis true,
Had many publick Vices; so hast Thou.
But He had Virtues, as his Foes agree;
Which, thy Friends own, are wanting all in Thee;
Tho' proud, corrupt, ambitious, and severe,
Still to the Muse He lent a gracious Ear;
Learned Himself to Learning was a Friend;
Himself, adorn'd with Arts, did Arts extend;
Whilst all thy Knowledge is confin'd to Gain,
To Funds, and Stocks, and Bribes, thy Country's Bane;
His publick Spirit lives in Christ--Church Dome;
Thy Charity Begins, and Ends at Home.