The Lamenting LADYs
Farewel to the WORLD,
Who being in strange Exile, bewails her own Misery, complains upon Fortune
and Destiny, describes the Manner of her Breeding, deplores the Loss of her
Parents, wishing Peace and Happiness to England, which was her Native
Country. And withal, resolved for Death, chearfully commending her Soul
to Heaven and her Body to the Earth; quietly departed this Life, Anno 1650.
To the Excellent Tune, called, Oh Hone, Oh Hone.
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MOURNFUL Melpomene
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Assist my Quill,
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That I becomingly
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May make my Will:
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Guide thou my Hand to write,
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And Senses to indite,
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A Ladys last Good-Night.
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Oh! pity 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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Yet to remain a While,
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Till Heavn be pleasd to Smile
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And send for me.
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My FRIENDS cannot 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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Few to regard my Moan;
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All my Delights are gone:
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Heavn! succour me.
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Each Day with Cares and Fears
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I am perplext;
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My Drink is Brinish Tears,
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With Sorrow mixt:
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When Others soundly Sleep,
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I sadly Sob and Weep,
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Oppressd 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 advancd on High,
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In Place of Dignity;
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With Gold and Bravery
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They decked me.
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MY Garments drest with Pearl
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Richly attird;
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Never was English Girl
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So much admird:
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Old and Young, Great and 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 me see.
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But from my former State,
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I am calld 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 pulld me Head-long down.
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Oh! wo is me.
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My FRIENDS dear, are decayd,
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Who lovd me best;
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Never was harmless Maid
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So sore distrest:
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My FATHER he is dead,
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My MOTHER banished:
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All Joy is from me fled.
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Heavn! 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 When they please,
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And Where 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! wo is me.
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All earthly Joys are gone,
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I will, and must,
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Only in GOD alone
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Put all my 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 upon Earth
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Can ease my Grief,
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Until the Time that Death
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Yield 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 sends for me.
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I have, in Heavn above,
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A Place prepard;
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Never shall I remove
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Thence afterward.
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Go toll my Passing-Bell,
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Whilst Angels ring the Knell:
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Thou vain World, now Farewel!
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CHRIST sends for me.
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When she these Words had said,
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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 whom GOD hath blest:
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The last Words she exprest
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Prove That to be.
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