The Hesperides & Noble Numbers/Hesperides/To His Honoured Kinsman, Sir William Soame. Epig
331. TO HIS HONOURED KINSMAN, SIR WILLIAM SOAME. EPIG.
I can but name thee, and methinks I call
All that have been, or are canonical
For love and bounty to come near, and see
Their many virtues volum'd up in thee;
In thee, brave man! whose incorrupted fame
Casts forth a light like to a virgin flame;
And as it shines it throws a scent about,
As when a rainbow in perfumes goes out.
So vanish hence, but leave a name as sweet
As benjamin and storax when they meet.
Benjamin, gum benzoin. Storax or Styrax, another resinous gum.