A FUNERAL ELEGY UPON THE Death of the Right Honourable, most religious and noble Lady, FRANCES, Late Countess of WARWICK, who departed this life at her house in HACKNEY, near unto LONDON, In the Month of June last passed. 1634.  
By HENRY PEACHAM.  — Et festinantes sequimur. 
LONDON, Printed by I. H. for Francis Constable. 1634.   

 

Ad Lectorem.  
Aspice ut hoc clypeo bini jungantur in uno,  
Quos Amor, at que tori junxerat una Fides:  
Sic fato functi, terra tumulantur in una,  
Et simul aethereo gaudet uterque Polo.    

TO THE TRULY HONOURABLE, Sir JOHN WRAY Knight and Baronet, Sir CHRISTOPHER WRAY Knight, and Master EDWARD WRAY Esquire.  
Right Noble and Worthy Gentlemen:  
I Have presumed, the first, to bewail in public, the death of the much honoured, but more lamented Lady, the Countess of WARWICK your deceased A●nt, so renowned, and beloved for her Pity and Goodness, that she needeth no Memorial at all, and in truth, Fame profiteth not the dead, as a Poet saith. 
Nil juv it fama sepultos.  But in regard she hath been so fair a Precedent for Posterity to imitate, and that myself have been much bounden unto he, for her Honourable respect ever towards me, I could not mourn to myself, beside moved to the contrary by a particular occasion. Some few years ago, her Honour sent unto me, and requested mine advice, far the erecting of a Monument in SNARFORD Church for herself, according to the convenience of the place: I drew the Model of one, and presented her Honour with the same, adding (as was her desire) a plain, but short and proper Inscription, leaving underneath a space for an Epitaph, there to be inserted after her death, that might contain some dozen lines or more, which (if I should outlive her) it pleased her Honour to impose upon me to perform: I promised her I would, though out of the natural goodness, and sweet humility of her mind, she never affected praise, or applause, either in life, or after her death, for any good de●● that ever she did. So that since herein I could not ●●●forme my promise, her Honour's mind, for the disposing of her corpse at the time of her death (for some reasons perhaps known unto her 〈◊〉) being altered, I took mine own time, and ●●●entured (as drawing the C●rtaine from an excellent Picture) to show her to the beholder at the full, and in a fair light.  
Wherefore, at my little leisure would serve, it spare hours, shortly after her death (being employed in a toilsome calling) I composed this small Poem, which under the protection of your names (who are so much beloved and honoured in Lincolnshire; moreover, Brethren, her Nephews, and Exequ●tors to her last Will and Testament) I consecreate to her eternal Memory, and offering (for her sake) the same in all dutiful affection unto your Patronage, I take leave.  
Yours devoted in all observance, Henry Peacham   

The Epistle to the Reader.  
REader whosoever, hold me excused, that upon so excellent a Subject, I have wrought so inartificially, and like that Bricklayer of Antwerp, because he could set stones in Mortar, undertook to set Diamonds in Gold. True it is, there are some persons of that transcendent worth and desert, that all indifferent praise falleth short of them, as there have been some men beyond imitation for their excellency in their several Faculties: and though this regard only might have enjoined me Silence, beside the disesteem of Poetry in this latter age of the world, (wherein, to scorn learning, and to know nothing, are accounted Gentlemanlike qualities) yet seeing living Examples of Virtue are so few and rare (appearing but here and there one, in a whole Country, like stars in a misty or dark night) and that I knew not how to require the many favours I formerly received from her Honour, beside the friendly respect I have found from the most and nearest allied in blood unto Her, I have adventured once again with ORPHEUS to raise up EURYDICE, my dead and forgotten Muse, to review the light, it being now eleven years since I published any thing in this Elegiac kind; which then was an April SHOWER, upon the death of that truly Noble, and very learned Lord, Richard Earl of Dorset: and soon after, upon the too untimely decease of the most virtuous and hopeful young Lady FRANCES, daughter to Sir WILLIAM WRAY Knight, (and sometime wife unto that worthy and generous Knight Sir ANTHONY IRBIE of Boston) who lieth buried at ASHBIE, where the Lady WRAY her Mother (a religious, charitable, and bountiful Lady) at this time liveth.  
And whereas in this Elegy of mine, by a Parergicall digression, I make mention for the Honour of the Shire, of many brave and excellent spirits it hath bred, I have not done it without example of the best approved Poets: And as 〈◊〉 saith of Germany, so I may say of this Shire, that it is Hominum 〈◊〉, a shop of men, where they may be found serviceable, either for affairs of Peace or War: besides a Discourse which I had with a very Honourable and a learned Personage, at his table, concerning this Subject, gave some occasion thereof.  
For this Noble Lady deceased, if I have fall'n short of the just report of her worth, and have not showed her with that lustre and life I ought, and is she deserved, I crave pardon of those who know her best, and from whom I should have received information (for doubtless her charitable deeds were great and many) but those who were nearest about her, after her death being disp●●sed, and far off; I have in a manner altogether out of my knowledge, collected the substance of what I have written; imitating those Painters, who when they cannot get the life, are fain, for the grosser lights and shadows, to be beholding to their memories. Farewell.   

Epitaphium.  
Verè piissimae, ac illustrissimae Heroinae, D. FRANCISCAE Comitissae WARWICENSIS Aedibus suis propriis HACKNEIAE propè LONDINUM, Mense Junio, denatae. 1634.  

H●● FRANCISCA j●●es Comitissa sepulta Sepulchro,  
LINDENSIS patrii gloria sola soli.  
Queen ●m non usque ad●o tituli non census honore●  
Sanguine 〈◊〉 stem●● ducta virum.  
Tenostreas' inte● 〈…〉  
〈…〉,  
Quam Pict as 〈◊〉 Derquam 〈◊〉 casto  
Religion is an, 〈…〉,  
〈…〉  
〈…〉  
〈…〉  
〈…〉  
〈…〉  
〈…〉   
〈…〉. In eXtreMo IVDICIo, jesvs sIt tIbI jesvs. MDC. XXX.IIII   

A Funeral Elegy.  

IN what place of the Heavens, upborne from hence,  
Pure Soul, 
Aegelorum ministerio, Luc. 16.  keep'st thou thy happy residence,  
That thither our swift-winged Zeal may fly,  
To gratulate thy full felicity:  
Not bring thee back with tears, our prayers, or vows  
Accuse the Fates, or call for Cypress boughs  
To veil thee sleeping (borne to bed by Death)  
When thou in vain art sought of us beneath:  
Heavens glorious Palace more adorning far,  
Than Cassiopeia, 
“ Cassiopia wife to Cepheus, who co●●nded in beauty with the Nymp●t of the sea, and was turned to a sign in Heaven.  or bright 
* Fac jubar ut semper Capitolia nostra so●umque. Divus ab excelsa prospectet julius 〈◊〉. Ovid 〈◊〉 15.  Caesar's star.  
No, honoured Lady, be it far from me,  
These ill-tuned accents should solicit thee,  
Bewail thy state or fate, who dost possess  
A Crown and Kingdom with that happiness,  
Tongue never yet hath uttered, nor can  
Pierce the dull thought of frail and mortal man.  
I take but time and leave a while to sum  
The parcels of our losses in her tomb,  
As in an Ocean, that are sunk and fled,  
And never more shall be recovered.  
A loss wherein so many had a share,  
That Towns and Tenants well-nigh undone are:  
A loss for which fair LINCOLN from her hill,  
Doth to her City streams of tears distil;  
It weeps, and by her River doth convey  
Her salt-abundant sorrow every way;  
And as a Mother, who hath lately lost  
Her dearest daughter, whom with care and cost,  
She from her tender infancy hath bred,  
And in all goodly Science 〈◊〉:  
With bitter tears, and wring oft her hands,  
Amidst her neighbours dumb and sobbing stands,  
Incapable of comfort, and would feign,  
Even with her imgers dig her up again:  
Such grief (and it not greater) do I guess  
The heart of all this County doth possess:  
LINCOLN, whose soil hath ever fertile be●ne  
Of such Heroic Spirits, that between.  
Earth-bounding 
a The Isles of Orkney beyond Scotland Ukima Thule, Virg.  ORKNEY, and the 
a Hodie, Thylensell: two Lands without the straits of Gibraltar, in the farthest part of Spain next to Africa.  Gods of Spain,  
They may for merit scarce be matched again:  
Who, while a time I leave her Honour's hearse,  
Embellish with your glorious names my verse,  
Her name to Fame I may the more endear,  
Withal advance the honour of the Shire.   
Lincoln anciently by Bede and others called LIND●COLLINUM (from the situation upon the top of an ●ill, and also LINDUM, whence that part of the Shire beyond the River of WITHAM was called LIND●●●, or 〈◊〉 By the Normans it was called NICO●-shire, by a Metathesis or transposition of a letter, as we find in a certain deed made by JOHN of GAUNT, beginning thus: 〈…〉 〈…〉.  

I will not turn the Anuals (as I might)  
Of antique ages, bring again to light  
Those warlike natives, who by 〈◊〉 flood  
So oft imbrued their swords in Danish blood,  
Nor that religious King of Mercia, who  
Here kept 〈◊〉 Court eight hundred years ago.   
OFF A King of MERCIA, who kept his Court in 〈◊〉 Castle of Stallingburgh in the County of Lincoln, now being part of the inheritance of that Noble and right worthy Gentleman, Sir Edward A●scough Knight: here also was Saint E●kenwald (sometime Bishop of London) borne, as I was informed by Master Linall, a great Searcher of Antiquities in this County.  

With many a learned, many an holy man,  
Wherewith this spacious Shire abounded than  
Rest they in peace, some few I'll only name  
Of later times, deserving equal fame:  
Then for her home-born; first, this soil may vaunt  
Great BOLINGBROKE, the son of JOHN of GAUNT.   
Henry Plantagenet (who was Henry the fourth) borne at Bolingbroke in Lincolnshire, son and heir of JOHN of Gaunt, by BLANCH daughter and coheir of Henry, the first Duke of Lancaster, who took to wife MAR●●, daughter, and one of the two heirs of Hump●rey de Bol●●n, Earl of Hereford, Essex, and Northampton, and Constable of England. He lieth buried by Marie his wife, in the Monastery of Christ's Church in Cantuarburie, under a pillar in the North I'll. To this Church King Henry, with Thomas Arundel, Archbishop of Cantuarburie, were great benefactors: he died, Anno 1412.  

Then that brave Worthy, WILLOUGHBY the Great,  
Who wily PARMA, 
Du● Parmensis insignis dissimulandi artifex. Cambden in Elisabetha.  did so sound beat  
From BERGEN, with his ever honoured Son,  
Earl LINDSEY living, loved of every one.   
It was in the year 1588. PARMA lying before BERGEN two whole months together, was beaten thence by the valour of the L. Willoughby Governor, Sir William D●urie, Colonel Morgan, and many other resolute and brave Commanders being then in the Town, at what time were knighted for their valour, Sir Francis Vere, Sir Thomas Knolles, Sir Nicholas Parker, and Sir john Poolie, etc.  

But how can my weak Muse thy merit crown,  
Great Precedent of honour and renown,  
Thrice-Noble 〈◊〉, the surulving glor●  
Of Eighty eight, and subject of that story,  
When thy enraged thunder-belching BEAR  
SPAIN'S floating Castles did to pieces tear.   
The L. Sheffield Baron of Butterwick, and Earl of Mowgrave, who to his great praise and honour did notable service in Eighty eight, in that famous fight with the Spanish Armado, being then Captain of the White Bear, one of her Majesty's ships royal.  

With PELHAMS' also 
a Grandfather to Sir William Pelham now living  father and the son,  
Whose feared black lances their great honour won,  
When through the heart of B●●GIA they ran,  
Conducted by the silver 
b The crest of the Pelhams'.  Pelican.   
Sir 
c The grandfather came out of Sussex.  William Pelham, who being at that time General of the Horse, overran (saith Cambden) all Brabant, Anno 1586. As he was an absolute Soldier, so his son was also a great Soldier and Scholar, as any Gentleman in the Shire, having left behind him a sufficient testimony hereof; whose son is Sir William Pelham (a very worthy and noble Gentleman) now living, of Brocklesbie in Lincolnshire.  

And expert OGLE, able to command  
A XERXES' Army, if that need should stand.   
Sir john Ogle borne at Piachbeck in Holland, a very honourable Gentleman, and my especial friend, with whom I lived in UTRECHT, when he was L. Governor thereof, whom (as well for Honour's sake, as his own especial deserts, having done great service to the States in the Netherlands) I could not but (in this place) remember.  

With all-lamented BURROUGH, who did see  
Too late their errors, who attempted REE.   
Sir john Burroughs borne at Stow by Gainesburgh and slain (being shot into the belly) before the Fort there.  

And as it were a Nursery of men,  
Dread Sovereign CHARLES, this County doth again  
Send thee thy Champion, hopeful DIMOK, he  
Whose CARE HOLDS KIM●, 
An Anagram. Charles Dimok.  whom time shall shortly see  
(Such is his towardness, virtuous education)  
The flower not of the Shire, but of the Nation.   
Whose father Sir Edward Dimok (not here to be forgotten) was a Gentleman as well deserving in his time, as any other; for he was of a noble and contagious spirit, learned, and had traveled the most parts of Europe.  

With HARWOOD, SMITH, and numbers unnamed here,  
All children of their mother Lincolnshire.   
Sir Edward Harwood borne at Bourne, and a Colonel in the Netherlands, slain (as it was reported) before Mastrecht, he was by his last will and testament a great benefactor to the town of Bourne. Captain john Smith borne at Alford in the Marsh of Lincolnshire, who served under the Prince of Transylvania, and made a great discovery in the North parts of America.  

Now as if Nature seemed loath to part  
These ablest men of Arms from those of Art,  
She here again produced for tongue and pen,  
Great Statesmen, many grave and learned men:  
The wisest BURGHLEY, Atlas of our State,  
Our England's PALINUR● (whose care of late  
In greatest storms of danger, 
Aeneae nauta. Virg. Aeneid. 3.  steered the helm,  
And saved from wreck our far engaged Realm)  
His birth acknowledged unto fennie BOURNE,  
Though STAMFORD holds his ashes and his urn.   
Sir William Cecil Knight, Lord Burghley, and Treasurer of England, was borne at BOURNE in Lincolnshire, Anno 1521. His father's name was Richard Cecil, one of the Wardrobe to King Henry the eighth, of the house of Alterynnis in Wales, his mother's name was jane, heir of the noble house of EXINGTON, and of the WALCOTS: He died 1598. and was buried at Saint martin's in Stamford. Of this ancient family of the WALCOTS is Master ANTHONY WALCOT of Lincoln, my loving friend, descended.  

And honoured Henneage, of that ancient race  
Of Haynton, here take your deserved place,  
So true a servant to ELIZABETH,  
And by King JAMES even honoured after death.   
Sir Thomas Henneage Knight, borne in Lincolnshire, he served Queen Elizabeth 35. years a privy Councillor, Vice-Chamberlaine and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. He had only one daughter Elizabeth, married to Sir MO●LE FINCH of Eastwell in Kent, who brought him a great estate, who after her father's death (in regard of his former deserts) was by King james created Viscountesse Maidstone, and Countess of Winchelsea: He died October 17. Anno 1595. and lieth buried under a fair Monument, in the Choir of S. Paul's Church in London. Of this family was Sir Robert de Henneage, tempore Henrici primi: and since the time of Edward the third, Anno regni ejus 16. they have continued Knights or Esquires, and in continual succession Lords of Haynton (john Henneage Esquire, being at that time in possession thereof) unto Sir George Henneage now living, and Lord of Haynton.  

The reverend WHITGUIFT, 
Born at Grimsby.  Cantuarburies' Grace,  
Whose memory shall never Time deface:  
And FOX, 
Born in Boston in the Butcher Row, or Shambles there.  who did so painfully compile  
His Martyrs, breathed first, Boston, in thy soil:  
Then those grave Judges, MOUNSON, DALLISON,  
With STAMFORD (LINWOOD) and late ANDERSON,  
Here borne, shall live while awful Justice reigns,  
And (her Tribunal) Westminster remains:  
Now WAINFLET borne at WAINFLET, (who did found  
And build that goodly Structure from the ground  
Of MAGDALEN in OXFORD) place we here,  
A Benefactor unto all the Shire.   
William de Wainflet, sometimes Bishop of Winchester: His father's name was PATTEN, and lieth buried in Wainflet All-Saints, under a fair monument of Alabaster, erected at the charge of this Bishop his son, who in his Episcopal ornaments (with another brother, who by his habit seemeth to have been a Dean or an Abbot,) support the pillow under their father's head.  

And next to him, else second unto none,  
For that great work his charity hath done,  
Ensueth SUTTON, 
M●. Sutton was borne at Knath by Gainsburgh, his father was sometime Towne-Clerk of the City of Lincoln.  who for his intent  
Deserves be styled the Magnificent.  
And prudent WRAY, chief Justice of our Land,  
To whom the subject which we have in hand  
Hath more relation, than unto the rest,  
Far be't thy bounty should be here suppressed,  
And that the Muse should so ingrateful be,  
As (with the chief) not to remember thee;  
To whom our CAMBRIDGE is obliged more,  
Than any other named heretofore:  
For her fair MAGDAL●N, enlarged so  
By his great gift, which that the world may know  
A WRAY did raise her to a fair estate,  
She wears his Arms and livery on her gate.   
This College was first an hostel of Monks, afterward repaired by the Prior of Ely, and the Abbot of R●msey and Walden, and at length made a College by the Lord Thomas Aud●y Baron of Walden, and Lord Chancellor of England, and endowed it with possessions, Anno 1542. what he left undone, was finished by the Honourable Sir Christopher Wray Knight, Lord chief Justice of the Common Plea●, and father of this deceased Countess.  

And future ages, though afresh, shall see  
His Image in these works of Piety:  
His name no less shall be beloved hereafter,  
As being father to so good a daughter.  
Thus from the nature of the tree and root,  
We easily guess the goodness of the fruit.  
Now should I first (as is the common use)  
This Lady's lineage, and allies produce)  
So honourable, many, or declare  
Of blood, of rank how high her husbands were,  
S. PAUL the first, who drew his pedigree  
From those of FRANCE, and bore their Armoury.   
C●st a di●● D' Aegent, nu Li●n ramp and, 〈…〉  

To that gre●t house of LU●●MBOURG allied,  
And many a noble family beside:  
Next honoured WARWICK, who did with his name  
Impart his Honour, gave her half the same:  
A sitter better match there could not be,  
He was right noble, good, and so was she.   
Robert Lord Rich, created Earl of Warwick, in the year 1618. August 6. His first wife was Pen●lope, daughter to Walter Earl of Essex; this Lady, widow to Sir George St. Paul, was the second, he died at his house in H●lborne, March 24. 1618. and was buried at Felst●d in Essex with his Ancestors.  

But what avails all this, it is not Blood,  
Alliance, Honours, Fortunes make us good:  
These are but rind, or outside seeming fair,  
Which touched, will turn to ashes or to air:  
Blood, honour, riches, though she had them all  
In full abundance; yet I cannot call  
The same her glory, 
All things which are beside the principal purpose, as in a picture, trees, towers, flowers, etc. when the principal perhaps is the face of a man.  which indeed but are  
The foils of Fortune, Goodness well may spare,  
Which as PAR●RGA'S pass we by and see  
Of her own self, how great, how good was she  
I pass her childhood and those tender years,  
Wherein, best, simple Innocence appears.  
(Yet those same years do oftentimes presage  
An hopeful harvest in a riper age)  
And with her youth begin, which Parents care  
Informed, in every Science that was rare,  
And commendable Art, that might concern,  
Or suited with Nobility to learn.  
But first RELIGION, they the groundwork laid,  
Whereon as BASIS all the other stayed;  
And hence that goodly structure of her mind  
Proceeded, wherein with more state she shined,  
And glorious lustre, than in that array  
Of gold and jewels on her wedding day.  
Her greatness, first of all she taught to know,  
It was the greater while it kept below;  
Pyramid-like the higher reared up,  
The less it seemed, and waxed at the top:  
No overweening scorn her brow did cloud,  
Additament of honour made her proud,  
That well she might that Royal Motto claim  
Of great 
* Samper eadem.  ELIZA, Evermore the same.  
The Court and City seld frequented she,  
Where all brave Dames and Beauties love to be;  
Her own fair SNARFORD, second unto none,  
For site, delight, sweet contemplation,  
At home detained her, keeping open door  
To neighbours, strangers, and the needy poor.  
Now blush (ye Dames) who leave your Mansion- 〈◊〉  
The fragrant fields, the healthful Country 〈◊〉  
Your walks, your woods, your flowery garden's 〈◊〉  
To live immured within a stinking street,  
Exchanging your all-welcome giving gates  
For some small wicket, fit to break our 〈◊〉  
T' avoid expenses, spending, and to fly  
Your Countries, but for hospitality:  
Or learn what fashion most is in request,  
How is this Countess, that Court Lady dressed;  
While ye, your beauteous faces so disguise,  
We neither see your foreheads, nor your eyes:  
(Like Dutch Boors houses, 
She allowed 〈◊〉 yearly to a Preacher at Wel●●n, a town by her. Also twenty ●ounds yearly toward a Sermon●n Ancaster.  where the straw hangs over  
The low-thatcht eaveses, and doth the windows cover)  
That want the seats and Indices to be  
Of Spirit, Love, and Ingenuity:  
Nor did her private house her bounty bound,  
That but the centre was, from whence, around  
It did disperse itself, in golden streams,  
(As Ph●●bus want his bright and burnished beams  
Betime, when as AURORA'S cheeks are red,  
To see him creep from THETIS silver bed.)  
For as she was Religious, 
Beside she ga●e exb●b●tion to many Scholars in the 〈◊〉 of Cambridge ● Magdalen College, and 〈◊〉 a Benefa●●● to other 〈◊〉 there. She allowed 〈◊〉 ●ounds a year to a Preacher, to 〈…〉 Lincoln.  so did she  
Promote all works of Christian Piety.  
Where Preachers wanted (as alas they want)  
Were livings small, and their allowance scant;  
Her Honour bounteous stipends did afford  
To painful Teachers of the Sacred Word:  
Nor did she this in places one or two,  
For her own glory, (as be some that do)  
But wheresoever 〈◊〉 of w●nt did hear;  
(No matter where) 〈◊〉, without the Shire.  
And (like her Maker) 〈◊〉 hear the cry  
Of poorest prisoners, 〈…〉 did lie.  
When on these water's ●he did cast her bread,  
And even their souls at her own charges fed. 
* 〈…〉   
〈…〉 relate (〈◊〉 own to all)  
Her 〈◊〉 RAISO● 〈…〉 Hospital,  
Her care of orphans, widows, whom she fed,  
She clothed, and in their sickness nourished:  
Her bounty to her servants in her life,  
Her love of peace, still hating suits and strife:  
Her favour to her Tenants round about,  
Of whom she never turned any out,  
Or raised their rents, or failing at their day,  
took re-possession: no, she took their pay,  
As they could best provide it for her, then,  
Perhaps, if need, gave something back again.  
 
Oh happy thrice, who made this worl her friend,  
To make her way to Heaven at her end,  
For if cold water given, ●inde regard,  
Imagine we, what then is her reward.  
She buried not her Treasure in a box,  
And that again enclosed with sundry locks  
From thievish hands, but up to Heaven before  
She sent it, borne by prayers of the poor:  
She knew how here from basest covetise,  
All evils, with contempt of God arise:  
With love of riches who entangled are,  
Do easily fall into the Tempter's snare;  
How poison in this Idol Gold doth lie,  
That take away the life of Charity.  
Parts father and the child, then sets the mother  
At odds with husband, daughter with the brother.  
Yet did she nought profusedly bestow  
For ostentation, or a trumpet blow  
When she gave alms, but ever did impart  
Them secretly to need, or due desert.  
Nor thought it she disparagement by stealth,  
Sometimes in sickness and their perfect health,  
To lay by state, and conversant to be  
With Tenants, parling of good husbandry.  
So would AUGUSTUS leave his Roman Court,  
And to the meanest Citizens resort,  
And with them in their houses drink and eat  
Familiarly, for Majesty so great,  
Not (like a bow) can always stand extent,  
But must sometime have its relaxament.  
Thus was she truly humble, courteous, mild,  
And nobly gracious to the poorest child.  
Ah that I said this woeful word, She was,  
But she, and we, and all of flesh must pass:  
We follow fast as Pilgrims, thou dost die,  
Even reading this, and writing so do I.  
How 〈◊〉 thing, 
Psal. 39 ●. Wisd. 5. 14. Esay 64 6. Osea 10. 7. lacob. 4. 4. Psal. 102. 3. Wisd. 5. 9 Wisd. 2. 5.  alas, is wretched man?  
By holy Scripture termed well a sp●●,  
A Lease, a Bubble, F●●th, the Down that flies,  
A wasting Vapour, Smoke, a Cloud in skies,  
A P●st that hasting makes not any stay,  
A Shadow swiftly vanishing aw●  
A Ship that no impression leaves behind  
Where it hath past, 
job 9 26. Wisd. 5. 10. Psalm. 73. 19 Iob 7. 7. Psalm. 90. job 14. 2.  a Morning Dream, a Wind,  
Hay, Gras●e, a Flower (from whose fair golden cup.  
The early Sun doth pearly Nectar sup,  
Upbraiding with her blush the crimson morn,  
But ere the evening down with sith is shorn)  
A Bird, 
Esay 38. 10. Wisd. 5. job 76. job 24. 19 Psalm. 90. 5.  an Arrow, and a Shepherd's tent,  
A Weavers web cut off, a Vestiment,  
Snow water that dissolveth with a drought,  
A short told Tale, a Candle quickly out.  
That we no sooner from our mother's womb  
Do draw this air, but hasten to our tomb:  
The Rich, the Poor, the Little and the 〈◊〉,  
Unlearned, Learned, Wise, 
Psal. 49. 3. job 3. 19 Psal. 49. 10. Fat● non servant ordinem inter senes & juvenes, Son. 1 Paral. 29. 15. Ecclesiastic. 40. 11. 2 Sam. 12 18. 1 Reg. 14. 17. Genes. 5. 27. 1 Reg. 2. 10. Senes. 4. 8.  and wanting wit,  
Death keeps no rank, or will be wooed to stay,  
Brookes no excuse, entreaty, or delay,  
For Age ne Sex he careth, all is one,  
They as all Waters to their Seas must run:  
If Infancy might have excused been,  
Sure David's son a longer date had seen:  
Or if old Age might pass with Death for plea,  
He likely would have spared Methuselah:  
Or if a Kingdom could preserve from death,  
Sweet ISRAEL'S Singer had not wanted breath:  
If Piety, that bloud-imbrued CAIN  
His righteous Brother never should have slain:  
If Wisdom, Learning, 
2 King. 11. 43.  and a boundless wit,  
As ever Heaven vouchsafed to mortal yet,  
Then SALOMON had lived still to write,  
And store us with his knowledge infinite.  
Nor could his Nimbleness AHAZA●L save, 
2 Sam. 2. 1●. & 23. judg. 16. 30. 2 Sam. 18. 23.   
Or Strength the strongest SAMSON from his grave:  
No more did Beauty ABSALON the fair,  
When death did hide him in his golden hair.  
If Beauty could, what could more beauteous be,  
Than sometime (in her younger years) was she;  
Before that Time did turn to silver wire  
The tresses, which APOLLO might admire:  
And buried now the bed in frost and snow,  
Where Lilies late did with the Roses grow.  
Divine Impression of thy Maker's glory,  
Sweet Beauty, why art thou so transitory?  
Who with Ambrosian dainties feedest our eyes,  
And with our souls so near dost sympathise:  
Leading all captives, whom thy power encloses,  
In ●ands of burnished gold, and chains of Roses.  
See (Ladies) what it is that make you proud,  
A very nothing, an IXION'S cloud, 
Jupiter 〈◊〉 ●ing Ixion to be in love wi●● Juno, deceived 〈◊〉 with a cloud, which be made like Jun●, etc.   
When most beloved, pursued, embraced and kissed,  
Dissolves itself to vapour and to mist:  
A blushfull blossom, pleasing to the eye,  
No sooner blown, but blasted by and by.  
Why did ye (Heavens) ever Death permit,  
The world's sole Ranger, Bow-bearer of it,  
To kill what flesh he pleaseth, where, and when,  
Making the Grave his Lodge, his CACUS den●  
Because a spade he useth for to bear,  
Ye did ordain him Earth's chief Gardener,  
Uprending by the roots such flowers as these.  
But let vile weeds dispred them as they please:  
He crops the Primrose, Violet, or Pink,  
Le's Poppies flourish with their baneful stink.  
But far be it, we blame you Heavens for this,  
It was old ADAM'S fault, his soul amiss,  
The father of us all, when he forgot  
His Maker's hest, and that rued apple ate:  
So that from Eden's fair forbidden Tree,  
Death can till now derive his pedigree;  
And with the best of Rome's great Senate show  
His Images (if need be) on a row:  
There is no Royal blood, or Noble race,  
But must arise, and give his greatness place.  
De●●●● King of Heralds over looking tombs,  
At Church all placing in their proper rooms,  
All marshalling at Funerals and Feasts,  
Ranking with all equality his guests.  
And Lady's ●ee, that commonly contend  
For highest place at Church, or Tables end;  
How quickly can this enemy of life  
Decide the quarrel, and compound your strife.  
Death's Harbinger, the King of Heaven doth send,  
To see you lodged at your progress end:  
He is a prime Court-gamester, that will vie,  
And see the Rest of Royal Majesty:  
Let Honour, Love, Time, Fortune, with him play,  
He sweeps the stake, and carries all away:  
Though privileged in this beyond his Dead, 
1 Cor. 25. 26.   
Himself is last, who must be conquered.  
How bitter is his memory to him,  
Who doth in plenty and abundance swim,  
Devours all dainties, keeps his downy bed,  
No worldly care, to vex his careless head?  
He doth distaste his gentle Palate more  
Than Galls, or Antieyrian Hellebore:  
He loathes the wall that Death is painted on,  
And trembles at his fleshless S●●kton;  
Memento mori, and the Day of Doom,  
That Masterpiece of 
a Michael Angelo a famous painter, who wrought that excellent piece.  Angelo in Rome  
Do damp his spirit, and offend his eyen,  
He better likes the draughts of 
b Icones obscenae Aretin●  A●e●ine.  
But to the man who liveth in distress,  
In Want, in Prison, friend and fatherless,  
To age, that weary of the world doth see,  
From bad to worse how times declining be,  
To 
c They were called Bed-read, who used to read, or pray upon their bead, lying in their beds (not able to work) in oven sho● in London and other places, having a basin set before them for such as gave them any 〈◊〉, to cast it 〈◊〉  bed-read, and the long tormented sick,  
How happy is thy welcome, Death, how quick  
Do they embrace thee, as the weary guest  
Calls for his Host, and first would be at rest  
Yet did not torment, any tedious pain  
Solicit Death for her, although a gain  
Unto the Godly, no, she did affront,  
By faith, its fury, and insulted on't:  
Her soul to him commending, by whose merit  
She hoped, life eternal to inherit.  
And when she saw the fatal hour draw 〈◊〉,  
She should be seen no more of living eye,  
About her she her dearest friends doth call,  
Advise and comfort all she can, withal  
Blesses her servants, wils them not to weep  
For her, who shortly in the Lord must sleep,  
And resting, her eternal Sabbath keep:  
On toilsome earth no more, no more with them,  
But in the Court of new Jerusalem.  
To mutual love exhorts them, and to trace  
The paths of Virtue, in their lives short race.  
This said; of all (while all stand weeping by)  
She takes her leave, 
Qualem virgineo demessum pollic● s●orem, etc. Virgil. Simile.  and so doth sweetly dye.  
Even as the Hiacynth doth change the hue,  
Which (from the tender stalk where late it grew)  
Some Virgin's dainty finger off hath torn,  
And that sweet tincture which did it adorn,  
Not fully faded, by degrees doth dye,  
Where some small remnant still affects the eye:  
Even so a colour liveless doth she keep,  
And lovely seems, as one but fast asleep.  
Now as a Bird that from the eagels fled,  
Unto the neighbour wood where she was bred, 
Simile.   
And meeting with a many of her kind  
At liberty, herself hath gladly joined  
To their Harmonious Consort, even so she,  
From her Earth's prison now exempt and free,  
Sings Hallelujahs with the Saints above,  
Communicates in bliss all heavenly love,  
From whence (me thinks) I hear her say, A lieu,  
Thou trostlesse Earth, who with thy shows 〈◊〉  
Thy silly children dost as Babes beguile,  
Who when (poor things) have played with a while  
Thy ●ands and toys, thou dost their cradles fit,  
And mak'st them ready for the loathed pit:  
Adien ye Courts, but Cotes of clay and stone,  
Whose Turrets now, (me thinks) I tread upon;  
And as an Anthill, view the world below,  
Mark how you silly creatures, to and fro,  
Do toil yourselves within your poor abode.  
By taking up, then laying down your loads,  
〈◊〉 comes the owner with a spade,  
And lays all level, what your car● hath made.  
●en, my SNAR●ORD, once so dear to me,  
〈◊〉 now the house of my eternity:  
〈◊〉 brave Earls, 
Earls of Warwick and Holland. Sir John Wray, Sir Christopher Wray, and M●. Edward Wray, the 〈…〉  my sometime sons, and you●  
My dearest 〈◊〉 in affection now  
With whom I leave my worldly state in trust,  
Known for 〈…〉  
〈◊〉 poor neighbours, who 〈◊〉 g●ne:  
〈◊〉 dear friends, my follower, 〈◊〉 one,  
Mourn for yourselves, and cease to mourn for me,  
〈…〉  
Th● or the like (〈◊〉 pardon, Lady ●are,  
〈…〉 not right) thou 〈◊〉 there,  
There where true 〈…〉,  
Where Quires of Angels 〈…〉  
〈…〉  
All, whereof we are ignorant below,  
〈◊〉 the brightness of that 〈…〉,  
Which here but throw a 〈…〉  
〈…〉  
Till the loud Trumpet, at the 〈◊〉 day,  
Thy body shall awaken from the dust,  
When 〈◊〉 and W●●, with all the 〈…〉  
〈…〉  
〈…〉   〈…〉 
FINIS  
〈…〉