To the Praise of the Dead, and the Anatomy

• 1 Wel dy'de the world, that we might live to see
• 2 This world of wit, in his Anatomee:
• Editor’s Note3 No evill wants his good: so wilder heyres
• 4 Bedew their fathers Toombs with forced teares,
• Editor’s Note5 Whose state requites their los: whils thus we gain
• 6 Well may we walk in blacks, but not complaine.
• 7 Yet, how can I consent the world is dead
• 8 While this Muse lives? which in his spirits stead
• Editor’s Note9 Seemes to informe a world: and bids it bee,
• 10 In spight of losse, or fraile mortalitee?
• 11 And thou the subject of this wel-borne thought,
• Critical Apparatus12 Thrise noble maid, couldst not have found nor sought
• 13 A fitter time to yeeld to thy sad Fate,
• Editor’s Note14 Then whiles this spirit lives; that can relate
• Editor’s Note15 Thy worth so well to our last nephews eyne,
• 16 That they shall wonder both at his, and thine:
• 17 Admired match! where strives in mutuall grace
• 18 The cunning Pencill, and the comely face:
• 19 A taske, which thy faire goodnes made too much
• 20 For the bold pride of vulgar pens to tuch;
• pg 21 21 Enough is us to praise them that praise thee,
• 22 And say that but enough those praises bee,
• 23 Which had'st thou liv'd, had hid their fearefull head
• 24 From th'angry checkings of thy modest red:
• Editor’s Note25 Death bars reward and shame: when envy's gone,
• Critical Apparatus26 And gaine, 'tis safe to give the dead their owne.
• Editor’s Note27 As then the wise Egyptians wont to lay
• 28 More on their Tombs, then houses: these of clay,
• 29 But those of brasse, or marble were; so wee
• 30 Give more unto thy Ghost, then unto thee.
• 31 Yet what we give to thee, thou gav'st to us,
• Editor’s Note32 And maist but thanke thy selfe, for being thus:
• 33 Yet what thou gav'st, and wert, O happy maid,
• Critical Apparatus34 Thy grace profest all due, where 'tis repayd.
• 35 So these high songs that to thee suited bine,
• Critical Apparatus36 Serve but to sound thy makers praise, in thine,
• 37 Which thy deare soule as sweetly sings to him
• Editor’s Note38 Amid the Quire of Saints and Seraphim,
• 39 As any Angels tongue can sing of thee;
• 40 The subjects differ, tho the skill agree:
• 41 For as by infant-yeares men judge of age,
• 42 Thy early love, thy vertues, did presage
• Critical Apparatus43 What an hie part thou bear'st in those best songs
• Editor’s Note44 Whereto no burden, nor no end belongs.
• 45 Sing on, thou Virgin soule, whose lossefull gaine
• 46 Thy love-sicke Parents have bewayl'd in vaine;
• 47 Never may thy name be in our songs forgot
• Editor’s Note48 Till we shall sing thy ditty, and thy note.