The Lamenting Ladies farewel to the
world,
Who being in strange Exile, bewails her own Mi-
sery, 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 their Native Country: And withal, re-
solved for Death, chearfully recommended her Soul
to Heaven, and her Body to earth, and quietly de-
parted this Life. Anno 1650. To an Excellent new
Tune, called, oh hone, oh hone.
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MOurnful Melpomenie
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assist my Quil,
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That I may pensively
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now make my will,
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Guide thou my hands to write
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And senses to indite
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A Ladies last good night,
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Oh pittie 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 remain a whiele,
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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 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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But few to 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 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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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 hy
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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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The Second part to the
same Tune.
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My Garments drest with pearl
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richlie approved,
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Never was English Girle
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better beloved,
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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 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 destinie 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 wo is me!
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My dear friends are decayed
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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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Heaven 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 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 wo is me.
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All earthly joyes are gone
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I will and must
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Only 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 miserie;
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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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yeeld 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 smal,
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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 heaven above
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a Place prepar'd
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Never shall I remove,
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from thence afterward:
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Go toll my passing Bell
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Whilst Angels ring my knell
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So vain world now farewell
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Christ sends for me
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When she those words had said
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with cheerful 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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was, Christ calls for me.
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