The Lamentation of George
Strangwidge, who for the con-
senting to the death of Mr.
Page of Plymouth, suffer-
ed death at Barstable.
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THe man that sighs and sorrows for his sin,
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The corps which care and wo hath wrapped in,
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In doleful sort records her Swan-like song,
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That waits for death, and loaths to live so long.
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O Glansfield cause of my committed crime,
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So wed in wealth, as birds in bush of lime;
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What cause hadst thou to bear such wicked spight
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Against my love, and eke my hearts delight.
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I would to God thy wisdom had been more,
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Or that I had not entred in thy door:
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Or that thou had a kinder father been
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Unto thy child, whose years are yet but green.
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The match unmeet which thou didst make,
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When aged Page thy daughter home did take:
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Well mayst thou rue with tears that cannot dry,
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Which is the cause that four of us must die.
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Ulallia more bright than Summers Sun,
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Whose beauty had forever my love won:
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My soul more sobs to think of thy disgrace,
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Than to behold my own untimely race.
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The deed late done in my heart I do repent,
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But that I lov'd I cannot it relent:
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Thy seemly sight was ever sweet to me,
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Would God my death could thy excuser be.
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It was for me alas thou didst the same,
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On me by right they ought to lay the blame,
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My worthless love hath brought my life in scorn,
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Now wo is me that ever I was born.
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Farewel my Love, whose loyal heart was seen,
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Would God thou hadst not half so constant been:
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Farewel my love, the pride of Plymouth town,
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Farewel the flower whose beauty is cut down.
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For twenty years great was the cost I know
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Thy unkind father did on thee bestow:
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Yet afterwards so sowre did fortune lowre,
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He lost his joy and child within an hour.
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My wrong and woe to God I do commit,
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Who was the cause of matching them unfit:
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And yet my guilt I cannot so excuse,
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We gave consent his life for to abuse.
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Wretch that I am, that my consent did give,
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Had I deny'd Ulallia still should live:
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Blind fancy said this suit do not deny;
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Live thou in bliss, or else in sorrow die.
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O Lord forgive this cruel deed of mine,
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Upon my soul let beams of mercy shine:
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In justice Lord do thou not vengeance take,
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Forgive us both for Jesus Christ his sake.
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