To day a man, To morrow none: OR, SIR Walter rawleighs Farewell to his LADY, The night before he was beheaded: Together with his advice concerning HER, and her son.  
LONDON, Printed for R. H. 1664.   

Sir Walter Raleigh's farewell to his LADY the night before he was beheaded.  
Together with his advice concerning her, and her son.  
Dear WIFE,  
YOu shall receive my last words in these my last lines; my love I send you that you may keep it when I am dead, and my counsel that you may remember it when I am no more. I would not with my will present you sorrows (dear Bess) let them go to the grave with me, and be buried in the dust. And seeing it is not the will of God that ever I shall see you any more in this life, bear my destruction gently, and with a heart like yourself.  
First, I send you all the thanks which my heart can conceive, or my words express, for your many troubles and cares taken for me, which though they have not taken effect as you wished, yet my debt to you is not less, but I shall never recompense it in this world.  
Secondly, I beseech you even for the love you bare me living, that you do not hide yourself many days, but by your travel seek to help your miserable fortune, and the right of your poor child: Your mourning cannot avail me that am but dust.  
Thirdly, you shall understand that my Lands were conveyed (bona fide) to my child, the writings were drawn at Mid summer was twelvemonth, as divers can witness, and I trust that my blood will quench their malice that desire my slaughter, and that they will not seek also to kill you and yours with extreme poverty.  
To what friend to direct you I know not, for all mine have left me in the true time of trial; most sorry I am (as God knoweth) that being thus surprised with death I can leave you no better estate; I meant you all my Office of wines or that I should purchase by selling it, half my stuff and my jewels, (but some few for the boy) but God hath prevented all my determinations; The great God that worketh all in all.  
But if you can live free from want, dare for no more, for the rest is but vanity.  
Love God, and begin betime to repose yourself on him, therein shall you find true and everlasting riches and endless comfort: for the rest when you have traveled and wearied your thoughts over all sorts of worldly congitations, you shall sit down by sorrow in the end.  
Teach your son also to serve and fear God whilst he is young, that the fear of God may grow up with him, then will God be a husband unto you, and a father unto him, a husband and a father that can never be taken from you.  
Baily oweth me 1000 l. Arion 600 l. In Jersey also I have much owing me; the arrearages of the wines will pay your debts.  
And howsoever (I beseech you for my soul's sake) pay all poor men when I am gone: no doubt you shall be sought unto, for the world thinks I was very rich.  
But take heed of the pretence of men and of their affections, for they last but in honest and worthy men: and no greater misery can befall you in this life, then to become a prey, and after to be despised: I speak it (God knoweth) not to dissuade you from marriage, for that will be best for you, both in respect of God and the world.  
As for me I am no more yours, not you mine, death hath cut us asunder, and God hath divided me from the world, and you from me: Remember your poor child for his father's sake that comforted you, and loved you in his happiest times.  
I sued for my life (but God knows) it was for you and yours that I desired it: for know it (Dear wife) that your son is the child of a true man, and who in his own heart despiseth death, and all his misshapen and ugly forms.  
I cannot write much: God knoweth how hardly I stole this time when all were asleep, and it is now time to separate my thoughts from the world. Beg my dead body which living was denied you, and either lay it in Sherborne or in Exeter Church by my father and mother. I can say no more, time and death call me away. The everlasting God, infinite, powerful, and inscrutable God, That Almighty God which is goodness itself, mercy itself, the true light and life, keep you and yours, and have mercy upon me.  
Teach me to forgive my persecutors and false accusers, and send me to meet him in his glorious kingdom.  
My true wife farewell, God bless my poor boy, pray for me, my true God hold you both in His arms.  
EVen such is time, which takes in trust  
Our youth, our age, and all we have,  
And pays us but with age and dust,  
Who in the dark and silent grave,  
When we have wandered all our ways  
Shuts up the story of our days.  
And from the earth, the grave, and dust,  
The Lord shall raise me up, I trust.  
WALTER Raleigh.   


LIke hermit, poor in pensive place obscure  
I mean to end my days with endless doubt,  
To wail such woes as time cannot recure,  
Where none but love shall ever find me out.  
And at my gates despair shall linger still  
To let in death when love and fortune will.   

A gown of grey my body shall attire,  
My staff of broken hope whereon I stay  
Of late repentance linked with long desire,  
The couch is framed whereon my limbs I lay.  
And at my gates, &c.   

My food shall be of care and sorrow made,  
My drink nought else but tears fall'n from mine eyes,  
And for my light in this obscured shade  
The flames may serve which from my heart arise.  
And at my gates, &c.  WALTER Raleigh.  
FINIS.