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.”