MEMENTO MORI.   outline of tombstone including emblems of Death which surrounds text  
AN ELEGY ON THE Death of His Sacred Majesty KING CHARLES' the II. OF BLESSED MEMORY.  

UNwelcome News! White-Hall it's Sable Wears,  
And each Good Subject lies dissolved in Tears!  
Justly indeed; for CHARLES is Dead the Great!  
(Who can so much as such great Griefs repeat?)  
King CHARLES' the Good, in whom that Day there fell  
More than one Tribe in this our Israel!  
Ah! Cruel Death! we find thy Fatal Sting,  
In Losing Him that was so Good a KING:  
A KING so Wise, so Just, and H'had great part.  
In SOLOMON'S Wisdom, and in DAVID'S Heart:  
A KING! whose Virtues only to Rehearse,  
Rather requires a VOLUMN then a VERSE.  
Sprung from the Loins of Charles of Blessed Fame,  
A Worthy SON of His Great FATHER'S Name:  

His Parents and His Grandsire's Virtues, He,  
As H'did their Crown, enjoyed ex Traduce,  
Of th' Best and Greatest of KINGS, the Epitome.   
His Justice such, as none could Him Affright,  
From doing t' all, to God and Subjects Right.  
Punish He could, but like He'vens' Majesty,  
Would that a Traitor should Repent, not Dye.  
His Prudence to the LAWS due Vigour gave,  
He saved Others, and Himself did save.  
His Valour and His Courage, Writ who can?  
B'ing a Good Soldier ere he was a Man:  
Wrestling with Sorrows in a Land Unknown,  
Whilst Herod did Usurp His Royal Throne:  
Banished His Native Country every Day,  
Like Moses, at the Brink of Death He lay:  
But that Storm's over, and Blessed be that Hand  
That gave Him Conduct to His Peaceful Land,  
Where this Great KING the Gordian Knot Unties  
Of Heavens, the Kingdoms, and His Enemies;  
Not with the Sword, but with His Grace and Love,  
Giving to those their Lives that for His strove.  
Never did Person so much Mercy Breath,  
Since our Blessed Saviour's, and His Father's Death.  
In fine, His Actions may our Pattern be,  
His Godly Life, the Christian Diary.  
But now He's Dead, alas! our David's gone,  
And having Served His Generation,  
Is fallen Asleep; That Glorious Star's no more,  
That th' English Wisemen led unto the Shore  

Of Peace, where Gospel-Truth's Professed,  
Cherished within our Pious Mother's Breast,  
And with Protection of such KINGS still Blest:   
Blest with His Piety, and the Nation too,  
Happy in h's Reign, with Milk and Honey flew:  
Yea, Blessed so much with Peace and Nature's store,  
Heaven could scarce give, or We desire no more:  
But yet, alas, He's Dead! Mourn England, Mourn,  
And all your Scarlet into Sackcloth turn:  
Let Dust and Ashes with your Tears Comply,  
To Weep, not Sing, His Mournful Elegy:  
And let your Love to Charles be shown hereby,  
In rendering James your Prayers and Loyalty.  
Long may Great JAMES these Kingdom's Sceptre Sway,  
And may His Subjects lovingly Obey;  
Whilst with Joint Consort, all agree to Sing,  
Heaven Bless these Kingdoms, and God Save the KING.    

Entered according to Order.   

London, Printed by J. Millet, for W. Thackeray, at the sign of the Angel in Ducklane, MDCLXXXV.