Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/260

 BEN JONSON

One name was Elizabeth,

The other, let it sleep with death:

Fitter, where it died, to tell

Than that it lived at all. Farewell.

203 (ti) On Salathiel Pavy

A child of Qtteen Elizabeth's Chapel "EEP with me, all you that read

This little story; And know, for whom a tear you shed

Death's self is sorry. 'Twas a child that so did thrive

In grace and feature, As Heaven and Nature scem'd to strive

Which own'd the creature. Years he number'd scarce thirteen

When Fates turn'd cruel, Yet three fill'd zodiacs had he been

The Stage's jewel, And did act (what now we moan)

Old men so duly, As sooth the Parcae thought him one,

He play'd so truly. So, by error, to his fate

They all consented; But, viewing him since, alas, too late!

They have repented ; And have sought, to give new birth,

In baths to steep him; But, being so much too good for earth,

Heaven vows to keep him.

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