The Lamenting Ladies last Farewel to the
WORLD.
Who being in a strange Exile, bewails her own misery, complains
upon fortune and destiny, describeth the manner of her breeding
deplores the loss of her parents, wishing peace and happiness to
England, which was her native Country, and withal resolving for
death, chearfully commended her Soul to Heaven, and her bo-
dy to the earth, and quietly departed this Life, Anno 1650.
To an excellent new Tune: O hone, O hone.
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MOurnful Melpomany,
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assist my Quill:
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That I my pensively
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now make my will:
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Guide thou my hand to write
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And sences to indite,
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A Ladies last good night
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O pitty me.
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I that was nobly born,
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hither am sent,
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Like to a wretch forlorn,
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here to lament:
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In this most strange exile
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Here to lament a while,
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Till heaven be pleas'd to smile
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and send for me.
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My friends can't come nigh
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me in this place,
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Nor bear me company,
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such is my case:
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Poor I am left alone,
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But few regard my moan,
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All my delights are gone,
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heaven succour me.
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Each day with care and fears
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I am perplext,
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My drink is brinsh tears,
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with sorrow mixt:
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When others soundly sleep,
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I sadly sob and week,
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Opprest with dangers deep,
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Lord comfort me.
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WHen England flourished,
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my Parents dear,
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Tenderly nourished,
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me many a year,
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I was advanc'd on high,
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In place of Dignity,
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In Golden bravery,
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they decked me.
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My garments dect with gold
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richly approved,
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Never was English Girl
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better beloved:
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Old & young, great & small
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Waited upon my call,
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I had the Love of all,
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that did know me.
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But from my former state,
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I am call'd back,
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Through destiny and fate,
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all goes to wrack,
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Fortune did lately frown,
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And caught me by the crown,
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So pull'd me headlong down
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oh woe is me.
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My dear friends are decay'd
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which lov'd me best,
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Never was harmless Maid,
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so much distrest:
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My Father he is dead,
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My Mother banished,
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All joys are from me fled,
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heavens comfort me.
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How well are they at ease,
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and sweetly blest,
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that may go where they will
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and when they list,
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To see their Parents kind,
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As nature doth them bind,
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Such joys I cannot find,
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oh woe is me.
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All earthly helps are gone,
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I will and must,
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onely in god alone,
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put my whole trust,
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O blessed Trinity,
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One God and Persons three,
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Release my misery,
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and comfort me.
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No creature on the Earth,
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can ease my grief,
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Until such time as death
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yeilds me relief:
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A Coffin and a Grave,
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Is that which I would have,
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Sweet Christ my soul receive
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and succour me.
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My Enemies that be,
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both great and small,
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Good Lord I pray to thee,
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forgive them all:
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May England flourish brave,
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When I am laid in Grave,
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So thus I take my leave,
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Christ calls for me.
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I have in heaven above,
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a place prepar'd,
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Never shall I depart,
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from thence afterward:
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Go tole my Passing-bell,
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Whilst Angels ring my Knell
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So vain world now farewel,
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Christ sends for me.
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when she these words had spoke
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with chearful heart,
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The Noble-minded Maid
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then did depart,
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No doubt her Souls at rest,
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with them which God hath blest
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The last words she exprest,
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was Christ calls for me.
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FINIS.
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