The Poems of Richard Corbet, late bishop of Oxford and of Norwich / 4th edition

by Richard Corbet

Bp. Corbet’s Poems.

DR. THOMAS RAVIS.

In the following tribute to the memory of a fellow-collegian, and predecessor in the deanery of Christ Church, it will not be too much to conjecture that Corbet was urged by gratitude for kindness experienced while the latter was young. The “Elegie” was evidently written immediately upon the interment of its subject, as towards its conclusion he complains that no tomb was raised over his remains; a complaint which was soon after obviated, when a fair monument was erected, bearing the following inscription, which contains all that is necessary to be told here of the circumstances of his life and character:

“MEMORIÆ SACRUM.

Thomas Ravis, claris natalibus Mauldenæ in Suthreia natus, Regius Alumnus in Schola Westmonasteriensi educatus, in Academiam Oxoniensem adscitus, omnes academicos honores consequutus, et magistratibus perfunctus, Decanus Ecclesiæ Christi ibidem constitutus, et bis Academiæ Pro-Cancellarius. Unde ob doctrinam, gravitatem, et spectatam prudentiam, à Rege Jacobo, primum ad Episcopatum Glocestrensem provectus, deinde ad Londinensem translatus, et demum à Christo, dum Ecclesiæ, Patriæ, Principi vigilaret, in cœlestem patriam evocatus, placide pieque emigravit, et quod mortale fuit, certa spe resurgendi, hic deposuit, die 14 Decembris, An. salutis 1609.”