The Epitaphe of the honourable Earl of Penbroke, Baron of Cardiff, and Knight of the most Noble order of the garter. Who died Lord stueward of the queens majesties household, and of her privy counsel.  
SInce plaints want power to pierce the skies, or rays the dead from grave,  
No tears nor sighs may well suffies, to wail the loss we have.  
Then lordings wipe your blobbred eyen, and sob no more alas:  
For death and deastnye doth assign, all life like shade shall pass.  
No seat nor sceptre certain is, the high and low a like:  
In spite of pomp and worldly bliss, fall both amid the dyke.  
But when a prop that stayed the state, drops down as you do see:  
The lookers on in muse do stand, at crack of such a tree.  
which leaves the world in morning weeds, behind to weep the loss,  
(Whiles fruit is fled from brantch and bow, as gold forsakes the dross)  
O Penbroke wilt thou part so soon, what haste hath hied thee hence:  
Had I been warned I had perfuemd, thy Tomb with frankincense.  
But called so swiftly to my pen, the sweet incense I want:  
yet swear I by the sacred Gods, though skill and sense be scant.  
Thou shalt not hide in clotts of clay, thy rich rare gifts of kind,  
Nor skrawlling worms shall make no pray, upon thy noble mind.  
The Court that knew thy constant heart, bydds thee return again,  
That art for troth and friendship fast, a perfect pattern plain.  
A father where the counsel sat of tongue and talk divine,  
As he at birth had stolen the grace, of all the Musis nine.  
His looks did speak when silent lips, locked up great things in head,  
yea every word past Pembroke's mouth, peysd well a pound of lead.  
No lightness lodged in his brows, and sure a man in deed,  
That well might ryes from Troyians race, and honour Hector's seed.  
Of nature noble void of blot, in Court and country throw:  
As courteous as the little Lamb, or Falcon gentle now.  
In bounty did his heart abound, where cause made place before:  
Not won by fear, but held by love, what might be wished more.  
To such as fau'red learning's lore, (though he no school point knew)  
His purse and hand as closely crept, as hawk wear clapped in mew.  
To those that seemed somewhat to be, whose hearts he saw aspire:  
He gave good hope in sign of hap, to further there desire.  
To Prince and country true as steel, no blast could bear him down,  
He kept his promise faith and oath, in Court, in field and town.  
Devout to God his life well shows, his death doth that declare,  
On Christ alone, the corner stone, he only laid his care.  
O manly Penbroke yet me thinks, I see thee march upright,  
Thy gesture and thy jolly port, stands still before my sight.  
Thy cleanly fineness trimly framed, sprang out of noble breast:  
And all thou didst within thy days, a noble mind expressed.  
But nothing here so clean or gay, can keep the life alive,  
Both wealth and Lordship leaps away, when death our date doth drive.  
yet death when he hath done his worst, dare not molest the spirit:  
That God doth claim and angels think, for Abraham's bosom meet.  
FINIS.   

A verse of farewell.  
I lost a friend, you lost no less, who lest lost, lost to much,  
Who looks to light upon the like, in Court shall found few such.  
Quoth Churchyard.   

¶ Imprinted at London, in Fletestreat at the sign of the Falcon by William Gryffith: and are to be sold at his shop in S. Dunston's Churchyard. 1570. March. 27.