AN Epitaph of the virtuous life and death of the right worshipful Lady, Dame Helen Branch of London widow, late the wife of sir john Branch Knight, sometime the Right honourable Lord Mayor of London, and daughter to M. William Nicolson sometime of London Draper:  
Which said Lady, deceased on Wednesday the 10. of April last passed: and lieth interred in the parish Church of S. Mary Abchurch in London, the 29. of the same month. 1594.  
VERITAS VIRESSIT WLNERE  
T C   printer's or publisher's device 
LONDON Printed by Thomas Creed. 1594.   

 blazon or coat of arms   

An Epitaph of the virtuous life and death of the Right worshipful Lady, Dame Helen Branch of London widow, late the wife of Sir john Branch Knight, sometime the right honourable Lord Mayor of London, and daughter of M. William Nicolson sometime of London Draper: Which said Lady deceased on Wednesday the 10. of April last passed: And lieth interred in the parish Church of S. Mary Abchurch in London, the 29. of the same month. 1594.  
SInce that all living things we see, on earth that draweth breath,  
Do at the last return to dust, and yield themselves to death:  
So death unto the godly ones, is happy end of woe,  
For then doth come the end of cares, that toss us too and fro.  
This world is full of snares and traps, temptations unto sin,  
As well in generations past, as this that we live in.  
Compare ourselves unto a tree, which springeth up with sap,  
And brings forth branches goodly ones, which taste of Adam's hap.  
And as this tree doth grow to strength, the owner of the wood,  
May lop away the branches fair, as them which are not good.  
So hath he lopped away from us a Lady Branch of price,  
That lived here right worshipful, disdaining every vice:  
Whose lack her friends do much bewail, but specially the poor,  
Whom she continually did feed, abroad, and at her door.  
Right beautiful, and fane was she, in feature and in face,  
A modest and a virtuous Dame, endued with great grace:  
Daughter to master Nicolson, a Draper wise and sage,  
A man well given to honour God, as well in youth as age.  
She from her infancy in youth, did lead a virtuous life,  
To Master minors sage and grave, she first became a wife.  
She issue had by him, one son, and daughters also three,  
Which all departed very young, as Destiny's decree.  
When Master minors yielded life to God that gave the same,  
To sir john Branch, then late Lord Maior, she was the spoused Dame.  
Right godly and right virtuously, they lived long in joy,  
With deeds of hospitality, whereas they saw annoy.  
Unto the Draper's Hall also, she in her life time free,  
Gave fifty pounds to young men's use, of that good company:  
From four years unto four years, still remaining without charge,  
Which was a deed of charity, and bounty passing large.  
In Abchurch parish where she dwelled, the poor she always fed,  
With money, meat, with coals for fire, sometimes with drink & bread.  
To the Lunatics of Bethelem, she gave right needful things,  
And not one prison she forgot, from faith such fruit oft springs.  
To Maids to help their marriages, (I mean the poorer sort,)  
She left relief as bountiful, unto their great comfort.  
To Oxford, & to Cambridge both, from whence good learning flows,  
She hath them given liberally, as sequel plainly shows.  
To the Hospitals of London too, she gave a great reward,  
And to the poor good store of gowns, she took so good regard.  
And as she lived a virtuous life, so godly was her end,  
The which in letters all of gold, deserves well to be penned.  
And now methinks I see and view, the holy Lamb to greet her,  
The Angels and Archangels too, and all the Saints to meet her.  
Methinks I see old Abraham, unbracing of his breast:  
Saving blessed Branch come here and sleep, and take thy quiet rest.  
The Lamb shall wipe away thy tears, his blood hath washed away,  
All worldly cares and blemishes, and here is perfect day.  
Enjoy the sweet melodious tunes, with husbands both rejoice:  
Sing Hims & Psalms before the throne, with sweet & pleasant voice.  
For thou hast clothed the naked ones, the hungry thou hast fed:  
Thou hast been mild and merciful, relieving members dead.  
Thou hast not hid my Talents, nor my blessings in the ground:  
Thou hast not been a wavering reed, but faithful, strong, and sound.  
Be thou example to the rest, like goodness to ensue:  
That they may joy where thou art blest, thus Lady good Adieu.  
FINIS.  
S. P.