Page:A poem humbly dedicated to the great patern of piety and virtue Catherine Queen Dowager - on the death of her dear lord and husband King Charles II (IA poemhumblydedica00behn).pdf/3



Ardon! Oh Sacred Mourner! that we paid Our first sad Tributes to the Royal Dead; Which did our Souls to rending sighs convert, Drain'd our fixt eyes, and pierc'd the bleeding heart; And for a Loss that Heav'n can ne're redress, Our Raging Griefs were rude in their excess: Which, while with wild Devotion we pursue Ev'n Heav'n neglected lay, ev'n Sacred YOU: Our own dire Fates did all our Tears employ, Griefs have self-interest too as well as Joy. But when such Sacrifice from us is due, What must the Mighty Loss exact from You, Who Mourn a King, and dear lov'd Husband too! How shall we measure that vast tide of Woe, That did Your Royal breaking Heart o'reflow?