THRENODIA IN OBITVM D. EDOVARDI LEWKENOR Equitis, & D. SVSANNAE Coniugis charissimae.
FVNERALL VERSES Ʋpon the death of the right Worshipfull Sir EDVVARD LEVVKENOR Knight, and Madame SVSAN his Lady.
With DEATHS APOLOGIE, and a Reioynder to the same.
PROV. 10.8.
Memoria Iusti benedicta.
LONDON Printed by Arnold Hatfield for Samuel Macham and Matthew Cooke, and are to be solde in Pauls Church-yard at the signe of the Tigers head. 1606
[Page] HONORI AC MEMORIAE CHARISSIMORVM CONIVGVM EDOVARDI ET SVSANNAE LEVVKENORVM.
QVORVM ILLE NOBILI FAMILIA IN AGRO HARTFORDIENSI NATVS, A PVERITIA OPTIMIS DISCIPLINIS INNVTRITVS, ADOLESCENS SOCIVS COLLEGII D. IOHANNIS IN ACADEMIA CANTABRIGIENSI, POSTQVAM EVASIT IN VIRVM S. PRINCIPIS ELIZABETHAE DOMESTICVS PRIMVM, EXINDE IN AGRO SVFFOLCIENSI EIRENARCHA, POST IN AMPLISSIMVM ORDINEM SVPREMAE CVRIAE PARLIAMENTI NOVIES CONSCRIPTVS, POST REMVM A IACOBO MAGNO FOELICE BRITANNIARVM MONARCHA EQVESTRI DIGNITATE ORNATVS, CVI VNO ORE OMNES CONSENTIVNT, CIVEM FVISSE BONVM, MELIOREM MAGISTRATVM, VIRVM OPTIMVM; CLIMACTERICO SVO AD SVPEROS CONCESSIT.
IIII. NONAS OCTOBREIS.
HAEC ILLVSTRIS HEIGH AMORVM FAMILIA CVM SORORE COHAERES, FOEMINA RARI EXEMPLI, PIETATE AC MODESTIA SINGVLARI, ANNO AETATIS SVAE LVI, VIRVM CVI SE NVNQVAM IN VIVIS ANTEFERRE SVSTINVIT, MORIENS VNO DIE PRAECESSIT.
VIXERE CONIVGES SINE QVERELA, AN. XXXVI. VNIS EXEQVIIS SVNT ELATI, AN. M.DC. v. V. ID. IAN. FILIOS SVPERSTITES RELIQVERVNT II, FILIAS VI.
PARENTIBVS OPTIMIS AC DVLCISSIMIS B. M. P. E. LEWKENOR F.
YE learned Sisters, which mount Helicon
And high Parnassus cragges vnneth to scale,
Your best beloued seats in times begone
Haue enterchanged, for that lowly dale
Amid'st the which sweet CAME doth softly slide;
Willing may seeme longer with you to bide;
And with his BRIDGE doth couple what his streames diuide:
So may you neuer of your change repent,
Or thinke to change againe for other place:
So may the rigor of the Heauens relent,
Which on your mansions faire with frowning face
Hath look't too long, and this contagious ill
Be soone remoou'd, and farre kept from them still;
So may your numbrous nurselings all your houses fill:
So lastly may our PHOEBVS deigne to see
And with his gracious sight those Temples blesse,
And consecrate them with his Maiestie;
The highest pitch of all their happinesse:
No lesse than those your other deare delight
Which by the FOORD of OVSE are stately pight,
And since that day do rise and threaten heauens height:
As ye vouchsafe to lend your willing eare
And condescend to Sheepheard swaines request:
If yet the same but equall shall appeare,
And to your selues may worke no great vnrest:
Scarse may though needs it must his suite be tolde,
O griefe who seeks the cause of griefe t'vnfolde!
And double griefe which doth from remedy withholde!
Lewknor alas is dead, that worthy Knight:
And follow'd his good Lady dead before:
And both within a day. Helpe vs to dight
Their herses with your plaints, and if no more
Helpe with your teares our common losse bewaile.
Your teares are left if other power do faile;
And fellowship is ease though griefe do nought auaile.
If of this paire one from his tender yeeres
Was wholly yours denoted heart and will;
Nor that alone but of his equall peeres
Few might in all your arts surpasse his skill:
If in your Court he did sometimes defend
No vulgar place: O you that wont to lend
Your teares to others losse, some on your owne exspend.
You shall not mourne alone; the State hath lost
A Senatour of many Parliaments:
The Church may well account her losse is most
Of such a sonne. The Countrey sad laments
A wise and vpright Iusticer: The poore
A worthy house keeper. O if no more
Ye feele your owne, yet others domage helpe deplore.
And if how much he in your gifts surpast,
So much the Graces sweet his Lady graced:
A right Susanna, vertuous, faire, and chast,
A lilly bright though now by death effaced:
If both in euery part of vertue were
A matchlesse match, a paire without compeare:
For Vertues sake weepe while ye may not weepe a teare.
Whereto serues all your skill if not for this
To blazon farre and wide well purchasd praise;
And register to all posterities
In honors iust records; what might vpraise
A caytiue courage vnto faire pretence;
And teach a gentle Spirit flie from hence
To highest heauen? Loe heere your arts chiefe excellence.
Liuing and dead your faculty is debt
To good desert: which payd in life may haue
Malignity perhaps thereat to fret;
Not so in death: No enuy lets the graue
Discharge this debt with safety euery deale,
And let eternall Fame the acquittance seale,
The world be witnesse vnto whom ye may appeale.
Besides, O let me tell you otherwise
Ye owe this duty to that worthy paire:
Sith first from you the danger did arise
Which wrought their death. That harme ye ought repaire,
So might it be repair'd. O that it might!
Butah for life the recompence is light
To waile the dead, or verses in their praise endight.
Pardon my griefe if ought my tongue haue strayd
Dread Ladies: well I wot vnguilty all
Ye beene of blame heerein. It was misse-sayd:
No greater sorow mought your selues befall.
But this is true, from that vnhappy place
Whose late infection did your nurselings chase
To diuers parts; this mischiefe came. Thus was the case.
Two sonnes they had (Ah now no longer they)
This worthy paire were hanging on your brest;
Their chiefest ioy and care: when they heard say
Contagious Agues did begin t'infest
The place whereas ye dwell: Not fear'd in vaine
As since the sad euent hath shew'd it plaine;
And such before the Pestilence are wont to raigne.
Nature and Reason bad them seeke to shend
From danger those their hopes: They send straightway
To fetch them home. Their Father had a friend
Of well-approued faith full many a day
Whose sonne in equall danger with his owne
He could not leaue, but sent all vnbeknowen
His Father for him to. Hence hath this sorow growen.
O weake and feeble wit of mortall wight!
Which wor'st not what to take and what refuse,
Chusing the worst, thou ween'st to hit the right;
And leauest the best which wisdome were to chuse!
As now this worthy knight, he would set free
His owne from harme, and saue from ieopardie
His friends also: but all his care turnes contrary.
Not many dayes but sicke began to fall
This youth I told in kindnesse brought away:
Before I should haue told you first of all,
His fearelesse Father which mislik't his stay
From you as losse of time; had thought againe
Haue sent him backe. The knight needs would retaine
Him with his sonnes; which turn'd himselfe and them to paine.
But now his father gan most instantly
Request he might remoue him home from thence:
(It was within a mile or two thereby)
Scarse might he speake so much without offence;
But heard straight way. And set you then so light
Your only sonne, as that regardlesse quite
Euen of his life you would remoue him in this plight?
Except you feare that ought should lacke him here.
Ah nay, quoth he: But this; your household's great
And what a griefe and trouble both it were
Besides the danger if this sicknesse seat
It selfe therein, (they fear'd the pocks) Alas!
I would it not for all that is or was:
So sayd, full little hop'd he what would come to passe.
To whom the knight. Th' eternall Wisdome hie
Which rules this world knowes what he hath to done:
And what is best for vs: who seeks to flie
With winde and saile from him is all as soone
Atach'd, as he that euer frames him still
To suffer what he must. Is death such ill
As is default in duty? No: God worke his will:
So sayd, yet as he could did faire prouide
Both for his guest and all their safeties.
But who can shun the ill that must betide?
Him lightly touch't the deadly mischiefe flies;
Ceaz'd on his hostes that had him entertained,
And shew'd this goodly part of loue vnfained.
Ay me that cruell death should rage thus vnrestrained.
Ah good Tisander who can halfe expresse
What raging sorrow tare thy heart in twaine,
When thou beheldst them brought to this distresse?
How dolefully thy hap thou didst complaine,
And praydst the heauens vpon thy selfe might light
Or on thy sonne, or both, their vtmost spight;
To scuse this gentle Lady and this courteous Knight.
Nor were we seely sheepheards ought behinde,
To send our plaints and prayers to the skies;
Too well was now our griefe-deiected minde
Suited vnto our pluncket liueries.
This comfort haue we; if that fellon Death,
If Destinies sad, or if the graue beneath
Had not beene deafe; these had not lost their vitall breath.
How shall I that sad households griefe relate
Their Masters fastned both to sickly bed?
How shall I tell alas! your wofull state
Twise Orphans now? the vowes, the teares ye shed,
Now for one Parent: Then th'other: Againe for both?
But all in vaine. Loe first your Mother go'th;
Your Father followes fast, how euer ye be loth.
To whom when first the heauy word was brought
Of greatest losse that euer he might heare,
(O would to God it could haue beene fore-thought
That message sad would touch his heart so neare)
And is she gone? (sayd he) Are ills so rife?
Well may I say I had as good a wife
As liues: Dearest I come; what boots me longer life?
But who had seene how Grace perform'd hir part,
To teach the patient minde her crosse to beare:
And how the gentle Knight with manly hart
Swallowed his griefe: And when the trickling teare
Fell from his eye that still on heauen did feed,
Albe his countenance gaue his heart did bleed,
Would say; I held my peace because it was thy deed.
Ay me! for sobs I cannot tell the rest.
He's dead! o death! for vertuous enterprise.
Ah gentle Sisters beat your pensiue brest,
And chuse the mournful'st notes you can deuise,
To accent your sad verses ruthfullest:
And when you haue a while your griefe exprest
Recomfort ours. Ye Muses ye can do it best.
The power of words is subiect to your skill:
And words well plac'd can charme the wounded hart,
Vp then ye Muses. And if so ye will,
We sheepheards swaines will helpe to beare a part.
Vp thou first mournfullest Melpomene,
And Erato with thee: Terpsichore
Shall with Thaleia sing, when PHOEBVS shall you see.
THRENODIAE In funere Clarissimorum Coniugum D. EDVVARDI & SVSANNAE LEVVKNORVM.
Pars prior: Quae vt plurimùm fletus habet & querelas.
CVR per vos, Elegi, Lasciua poemata famam
Quaerunt, cur proprium destituistis opus?
Munera vestra vocant, passis prodite capillis,
Pullae sint vestes, funera vestra vocant.
Occidit, heu, Lewknor Musarum gloria, tantum
Lugeat amissum vir (que) puer (que) virum.
Credibile est, nimium iam saeuas, [...], benigna
Parcas nascenti fila dedisse nanu.
Tantus erat morum candor, tanta arte politum
Ingenium foelix, tantus vbi (que) fauor:
Vt, quanuis stirpem clara de gente referret,
Dotibus his claros nobilitaret auos.
Nec tamen ingentes fortuna maligna negauit
Illi, quas doctis saepe negauit, opes.
Huic cumulo accedit pietas insignis in illos,
In quos caelestis lex iubet esse pios.
Cura Dei, & prolis vitam laudauit, at alter
Coniugis, & vita, & morte patebat amor.
Cuius vt aspexit morientia lumina, dixit,
Aut viue, aut comitem me quo (que) mortis habe.
Vota valent. Quos fidus amor, dum vita manebat,
Iunxit, disiunctos noluit esse rogus.
In terra ossa iacent, animae super astra volarunt,
Vtrunque, & meritò fama loquetur anus.
THO. SOTHEBY Coll. S. Ioan.
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In Coniunctum EDOVARDI LEVVKNORIS Militis dignissimi, & SVSANNAE vxoris eiusdem eximiae obitum.
ERgò Caballinos laticas mihi Musa propinat
Torpentem reuocans ad sua pensa? sequor;
Par est vt celebrem Par hoc tàm nobile, vinctus
Sermo, vinxêrunt quos ita fata, decet:
Par est vt metro Par includatur in vno,
Cui fuit in seros vnio tracta dies.
Vndi (que) par video, nec par tamen vndi (que); dispar
Gaudet inaequali tendere Musa gradu;
Eccè palàm numeris subsidit clauda secundis,
Nunc laxum fundit, nunc breue cogit iter;
Ecquid inamoenis Elegëia Consona bustis?
Ecquid & ad moestos ire parata rogo?
An quia Par sexu constabat dispare, carmen
Iure suum vir habet, foemina iure suum?
Praecedit passu subl mior ille virili,
Foemineos comitans contrahit illa pedes;
Fortunati ambo, fatis aequalibus ambo;
Vita pares vidit, vidit & vrna pares;
Sic quos cepir amor vitae, dum viuere fas est,
Hos vno cepit tempore mortis amor.
E Coll. Regis.
In obitum clarissimi viri Edwardi Lewknêri, Equitis illustriss. & Susannae coniugis, Feminae lectissimae.
QVî fit (inaequali, vos quae sine lege sorores,
Ducitis instabili stamina nostra manu)
Quî fit, vt indigni superâ, qua v [...]scimur, aura,
Annis tot vestra saepè fruantur ope?
Cùm tamen intereá, si quis virtute, vel vnus
Prae reliquis clarus, protinus ille perit.
[Page 9]Ah! quid non potiùs vestras conuertitis iras?
Ah! quid non illos (mors homicida) petis?
Abstulit vna dies, & funere mersit acerbo,
Nobile par, restant vix pietate pares;
Scilicet eximium clarâ cum coniuge, morti
Lewknêrum; nobis funera bina dedit.
Funera bina? quid? an non tristis funere luctus
Vel satis est vno, plus satis, id (que) Viri?
At si Nobilitas quicquam si stemma valeret,
Priscum aliquid potuit stemma valere tuum.
Si quid relligio, virtus, pietas (que) fides (que)
Relligione, fide, quis pietate prior?
Sed ne (que) relligio, pietasue auertere mortem,
Nec virtus quicquam flectere tanta potest.
Crudelis, tantâ nondum satiabere praedâ,
Sanguine nec tanti es exsaturata viri?
Quin dulcem thalami consortem sauciet vnà
Falx tua? quin pereant foemina, vir (que) simul?
Numquid non satis est clarum extinxisse maritum,
Posset vt in viuis haec superesse tamen?
Digna quidem vita hac, dignissima pluribus annis,
Et tàmpraeclaro foemina digna viro;
Quae facilè primum meruit, virtute, pudicis
Moribus, & verâ relligione, locum.
Non satis, hanc comitem, fuit, extinxisse iugalem,
Posset vt in viuis hic superesse tamen?
Sed quos vna dies pariter iuuenilibus annis
Coniunxit sancto condiditi in (que) toro;
Ecce vno paritèr nunc condidit vrna sepulchro,
Et penè vna dies funera bina dedit.
Nobile virtutis, vitae, morum (que) dederunt
Exemplum; haud post se nomen inane ferent.
Scilicet exemplo tandem hoc ediscite viui,
Ex horum vita, viuere, morte, mori.
G. H. T. C. C.
In obitum clarissimi & pientissimi viri, Domini EDOVARDI LEVKENER Militis, quà generis splendore, quà omni virtutum genere ornatissimi, necnon lectissimae foeminae, eiusdem coniugis, Dom. SVSANNAE LEVKNER, [...].
HEu miseranda lues! audax corrodere sanctum
Diuinâ pectus nobilitate viri,
Foedere qui sacro nulli pietate secundus,
Hanc sibi coniunxit relligione parem.
Nam prudens & doctus erat, decus at (que) piorum;
Virtutis cultrix nec minùs illa fuit:
Mecoenas, columen, spes, deliciae (que) bonorum;
Solamen miseris nec minùs illa fuit.
Christicolae pariter (que) fuerunt Coelicolae (que):
Semper luce pares, nunc quo (que) morte pares.
Sed cùm nomen habet de CANDESCENTE LVCERNA:
Hoc iam perge tuis pandere Musa modis.
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Heu miseranda lues! hac non splendente lucerna,
Hinc tot pullati syrmate longo gemunt.
Quin si non cunctis gratissima vita fuisset,
Nunc tua tam multis funera moesta forent?
G.E. C.Eman.
In Edouardum Lewkenor Militem, viri tum pietate, tum doctrinâ summè spectabilem; & Susannam ipsius coniugem, foeminam lectissimam, simul mortuos, eodem (que) tumulo conditos, Epicedium.
ERgóne iam extinctus gelidi sub mole sepulchri
Ille iacet verae relligionis honos?
Ergóne & illa simul lectissima foemina coniux
Morte perempta graui contumulata iacet?
Hei mihi, quis poterit lachrymas retinere cadentes?
Hei, perijt nostri gloria magna soli!
Heu, iacet Eduardus, niueus cui pectore candor,
Vnum cui coelum cura labor (que) fuit.
Cui pietas, doctrina, genus, prudentia constans,
Cana (que) honorandâ cum probitate fides.
Heu Susanna iacet, coeli germana propago.
Verae foeminei deliciae generis;
In miseros cui larga manus, pia cura suorum,
Virtutis studium, & relligionis amor.
Sic vno quos vita thoro coniunxerat, vna
Mors tulit, & vno condidit hoc tumulo.
Ergo ambos flete ô vates, totum (que) iubete
Parnassum alternos ingeminare sonos.
Has (que) illis lachrymas isthaec monimenta sacrate,
Et funus luctu concelebrate graui.
At vos ô manes, quorum nec longa vetustas,
Nobile nec delet nomen auara dies,
Vos iuuat interea meliores quaerere sedes,
Queîs datur aeternâ cum Ioue pace frui.
G.S. C.Eman.
In obitum praeclarissimi viri Dom. EDVARDI LEVVKENORIS Militis, & eius charissimae coniugis, Dominae SVSANNAE LEVVKENORIS.
MIlitis egregij meditaberis [...] miram?
Proh dolor extinctum conspice Lewkenorem,
[Page 12]Non modò diuitijs & auito stemmate clarum,
Sed musa, ingenio, sed pietate virum.
Clerus, eques, populus pullata veste Britannus
Hunc cassum lugent lumine Lewkenorem.
Te quo (que) (quâ sociâ plures foeliciter annos
Lewkenor exegit) chara Susanna, tuum
Lewkenorem moestae properantem ad limina mortis
Et pudor & pietas deseruisse vetant.
Vos simul extinctos crudeli funere mecum
Defleturo puto pectora mille pia:
Vos & longa dies & vita nouissima iunxit,
Nec nostro licuit dissociare metro.
C.O.
In obitum viri nobilissimi iuxtà ac doctissimi Edouardi Leukenor & Susannae suae.
EXtincta vt nuper petijt pia foemina coelos
plausa (que) supernos vidit adit (que) locos
Nos o noster adi: quid enim disiungimur, inquit,
tam nos quid separat terra minuta duos?
Dixit & in pennas cessit visura penates
pennas quas pietas struxit & egit amor.
Quae te dulce caput diuis diuortia nostris
disiungunt, cur pars tu mihi pacis abes?
Astra inter iuncti carpamus gaudia, dixit,
tenuat & in nihilum cessit imago suum:
Ille nihil notam effigiem sed prendere captans
excussit terras induitur (que) polos.
Eurydicen quaestus Lewknor, vt nulla superstes
comparuit terris aequoreisue fretis:
Nequicquam sperent coniux te tartara dixit,
emicat & coeli coerula scandit ouans.
G.H. T.C.
In obitum religiosissimi Militis Edouardi Leukneri.
DIcitur Ismarius chara pro coniuge vates
Per vada Cocyti, per Phlegetontij aquas
Transmisisse viam, nigri (que) ad limina Ditis
Sistens, Threijciae succinuisse lyrae:
Vmbrarum (que) deum neruis (que) & carmine mulcens
Eurydicen proprio restituisse Lari.
Heu nunc aut alter nigrantia tecta Tyrannus
Possidet, aut peior quam solet esse Dea est.
Nuper Leuknerus funesta morte perempta
Coniuge, sponte sua liuida stagna petit:
Per tenebras (que) iter emensus, manes (que) silentes,
Constitit ad furui limina caeca dei:
Plangens orabat miseram sibi reddere sponsam,
Moturus verbis marmora dura suis.
Cum (que) diu frustra tot singultantia verba
Misisset, (tantus est feruor amoris) ait;
Vt potero lucem aut coeli connexa tueri
Cùm mihi surrepta est lux mea vita mea?
Vel mihi reddatur coniux aut ipse maritae,
Vel seruato duos, vel mage perde duos!
Dixerat, assensit diri inclementia Regis
At (que) ambos contra ius (que) pium (que) tenet.
Hoc ego non agitem? dic o saeuissime custos
Tartarei claustri, quid velit iste furor?
Quid? tibi commissa est nigri custodia regni
Imperium in manes est tibi sorte datum,
Imperium in manes miseros tibi cessit & vmbras!
Diceris in sanctos iuris habere nihil;
Foelices sanctorum animae sunt cura Tonantis.
Sed quid ego haec frustra: vindicis ira venit.
Nam quoniam inuitis rapuisti hos inuide nobis,
Inuito rapiat qui colit astratibi.
In obitum viri verè Mecoenatis Eduardi Leuknori, & Susannae eius coniugis pientissimae, Epicedium.
SIc turtur moritur, suum (que) plorat
Solas flebiliter virum inter vlmos:
Sic fretus cytharâ maritus audax
Tristeis ingreditur domos profundi:
Ereptam sequitur suam vt Susannam
Leuknorus reducem suam vt Susannam
Concinnet, (pietas!) opes (que) spernit:
It virtus comes, vt chorus sororum
Et quicquid Charitum, Cupidinum (que) est:
Si fas est tumulo tegi ipsum Amorem
Hoc vellet tumulo tegi ipsius ipso.
Anagr. in nomen: LEVCENORVS, Luce nos vre.
At tua quando dedit virtus iam viuere coelis
Seu diuus epulis vnà cum coniuge Diuûm
Accumbis, siue orbe sedes pars dignior orbis
Respice NOS, ac LVCE tuâ foeliciter VRE.
H.G. T.C.
VNde mihi insolito stupuerunt corda dolore?
Quidue grauis versat tantum mea pectora luctus?
Mens equidem praesaga mali, quid triste minetur
Nescio, sic caeco turbantur corda tumultu;
An mihi dilectus nimiùm decessit amicus?
An mihi chara parens? An multùm frater amatus?
Hei mihi quòd multo merser grauioribus vndis:
Occidit (heu pietas!) pietatis amantior alter
Quo nusquam in terris vixit, nec mortuus vsquam est:
Quandoquidem nobis nec mortuus ille putandus;
Semper enim viuet nato dum vita supersit,
Felicem ô natum donat qui viuere patri.
T.B. Clar.
In obitum illustrissimi Equitis Eduardi Leukenor: vxoris (que) clarissimae, Carmen lugubre.
HEu, quanti gemitus? infoelix ales ab vlmo
Quos memorat casus? volucres in damna trahuntur.
An amor extinctae moliri tanta palumbae
Impulit, vt sociam sibi mortem quaereret vltrò?
Impulit vnus amor. nec enim sine coniuge coniux
Ibit adastra. Duos eadem lux perdat amantes
Optauit toties, sed cui nil fata negare
Ausint; aut poterant superi; pia vota secundant,
Vna dies inter tantùm fluit, ambo feruntur.
R. Theol. C.T.
In obitum verè illustrissimi viri, & tam gratiae, quàm naturae & artium praesidijs instructissimi, D. Eduardi Leukenor Militis, nec non in Susannam vxorem charissimam foeminam lectissimam [...].
HEi mihi quàm subitò passim tua funera flere
Cogimur inuiti Lewkenori, diem (que) supremum
Condecorare tuum lachrymis rorantibus ora?
Quem pietas celebrem, patriae prudentia charum,
Integritas vitae illustrem grauitas (que) senilis,
Natales clarum, mundo quem fecerat ardens
Conspicuum Zelus de relligione tuenda.
Dotibus ingenij ac artis quem docta Minerua
Ornârat mirè, cuius suadela sedebat
In labijs; nunc te miseri deflemus ademptum,
Quem Deus e coelo virtutibus auxerat istis.
Sed nec diuini satis est heu stamina vitae
Abrupisse viri Parcis, nisi coniugis alma
Vno eodem (que) ictu filum fatale rescindant.
Quam pietas, quam castus Amor, Prudentiae, forma
Grata (que) quam comitas, sancto (que) modestia vultu
Foeminei ornabant vera ornamenta pudoris.
[Page 16]Vos studiosa cohors, Respublica, Curia, Templa,
Vos rus deplorat. lachrymas Academia fundit.
Vnicè vos deflent proles generosa superstes,
Et famuli famulae (que) omnes vos vnicè deflent.
Non tamen in medio hoc luctu solatia desunt.
Nam quos iunxit amor & connubialia iura,
Non mors disiunxit, non funera, neuè sepulchrum:
Ambo sed aethereis volitant super aethera pennis,
Limen & augusti simul ingrediuntur Olympi,
Et coelo regnant cum Christo rege, supremo.
S.W.C. Eman.
Ad viri clarissimi nomen qui nuper migrauit ad caelites, allusio.
SInescis (Hospes) iste Lewkenor cui
Plebes, Patres (que), paruulis misti senes,
Moesti, dolentes, lacrymas impendimus;
Quis qualis olim: Sic habe; Lychnus fuit.
Ellychnium hoc mortale cui corpusculum,
Nunc ecce puluis tenuis & cinisculus:
Diuiniori accensa mens spiramine
Depasta corpus, flammula huic lychno fuit:
Oleum, charisma sanctioris Spiritus:
Iam dignitatis gradus iste celsior,
Qui quem (que) solus indicat quanti siet,
Lychnuchus; vnde latius puro nitens
Radiata virtus emicabat lumine.
O quanta noctis insecuta est illico
Caligo; quanta in hoc quidem coenaculo
Obscuritatis vmbra communis domus,
Extinctus hinc vt iste Lychaus ignibus
Suam rem sit flammulam coelestibus!
G.B. C.E.
In obitum D. EDOVARDI LEVVKENOR pietatis, simul ac eruditionis exemplaris, natalium splendore illustris, & doctorum patroni benignissimi, carmen funebre.
E Effugit fatum miseros; ferendum:
D Ducit inuitos alios; sequendum:
V Vnicum nostri decus (ah dolendum)
A Abstulit aeui.
R Regijs aequant humiles tabernas,
D Dum ferae cunctos rapiunt sorores.
V Viue, fata instant, animae (que) gaudent
S Soluere claustra.
L Lugeat quisquis, te, Edouarde, nouit,
E Et tuum corpus tumulo repostum
V Vidit indignum perijsse, longum
V Viuere dignum.
C Charior Diuis pietate nemo,
N Nemo, quem Musae magis approbarent,
O Omnibus gratus, patriae pater (que)
R Rite vocandus.
T. SOTHEBY. Coll. S.I.
Ad Lectorem.
CArmina qui tristes quae dictauere Camoena
Culta parum; verùm qualiacun (que) legis,
Da veniam: decuit sic indulgere dolori,
Materiae cultus conuenit iste suae.
Perlege non ficto quas fundimus ore querelas:
Sollicitâ verus non eget arte dolor.
Dum (que) legis luge, tristi (que) adscribere turbae,
Nec pudeat socijs ingemuisse malis.
Forsitan & duro tibi ni de robore pectus'st
Decurrit moestis guttula fusa genis;
[Page 18]Sic sine: Neué pium tibi mascula forte doloris
Officium virtus impedijsse velit.
O bene si multis fuerit signata lituris,
Pagina si lacrimas quas petit omnis habet!
His quo (que) (quos omnis iam deficit humor) ocellis
Qui prope iam tantis diriguêre malis,
Dum mihi quae cernis scribuntur carmina, Lector
Si qua fides, calidam defluit imber aquae.
Sed lacrimis modus esto. Alias iam tangere chordas
Incipe vel Cleîo vel magis Vranie.
THRENODIAE In funere Clarissimorum Coniugum D. EDOVARDI & SVSANNAE LEVVKENORVM. Pars altera. In qua potissimùm encomia mortuorum, viuorum alloquia.
In obitum sanctissimi & literatissimi viri Domini Edwardi Leuknor, carmen funebre.
ESse quid hoc dicam monstri? quod nostra vocatas
Inuito quae saepe mihi quasi gurgite manant
Extorquent nullas iam cornea lumina guttas;
Quique genas largo rorantes imbre rigauit,
Accersitus abest, & ocellis deficit humor.
Sustulit (ah quanto cogor memmisse dolore!)
Mors scelerata virum grandaeui Nestoris annos
Commeritum, si sancta fides, pietas (que) valerent
Parcarum cohibere manus; veneranda (que) virtus
Tempòra mercedem vitae spatiosa referret.
Quem genus at (que) domus titulis ornabat auitis
Natiuus (que) decor generoso corpore fulsit
Cui largo defudit opes bona copia cornu
Quem (que) insigne tulit, sublimen, nomen in astra,
Et quodcun (que) viris accedat pulchrius extra.
Sed partem laudis vix vllam ponimus istis
Haec inculpatae radijs, languentia fundunt
Defluuia & fuscum vitae subiecta colorem:
Semper eum pietas teneris decorauit ab annis,
Prima aetas dulcem musarum fecit alumnum,
Saepe puer tulerat sapientis signa Mineruae
Et redijt victor pallenti vinctus oliua,
Vir (que) viris palmam si quid prudentia iussit
Si probitas qúid agi, facile abstulit omibus vnus.
[Page 20]Caetera quae restant quid nunc memorare necesse est?
Qua manifesta manent, vitae, semper (que) manebunt
Argumenta piae, quae postera me reticente
Secula narrabunt; seri dicent (que) nepotes?
Quae neque, si vellem, breuiter decurrere possem.
Quare agite o docti & mecum, studiosa caterua
Atque, superuacuo gemitu lachrymis (que) remotis
Condignum tanto celebremus nomine funus;
Illi marmorea aeternum de laude sepulchrum,
Inscriptum titulo sacro statuamus & aurum;
Vt tanto succedat auo sua sera propago,
Et memor, & meritae, fiat simul aemula laudis.
G.W.
[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
I.C. Trin. Coll. Cantab.
In obitum EDVVARDI LEVVKNERI Equitis clarissimi, & SVSANNAE coniugis feminae lectissimae.
ABstulit vna dies cara cum coniuge clarum
Leuknerum, at (que) vno condidit in tumulo.
Insignes pietate ambos; natalibus ambos
Insignes, omni denique laude pares.
[...], Candidus.
Candorem praeferre vides ipsum tibi nomen,Quippe inerat candor moribus ingenuis.
Vir Musas coluit, Musae coluere vicissim
Artibus ingenuis, egregijs (que) virum.
Hunc vbi iam durae rapit inclementia mortis,
Lecta parùm coniux occupat antè mori.
Non tulit aspectum morientis; praeripuit (que)
Femina fatalem fortior ire viam.
Id luctum geminare, quibusdam fortè videtur,
Non geminat, minuit tantus amor gemitus.
Iunxerat vna dies feliciter: abstulit vna,
Nec mors coniunctos diuidit atra duos.
[...].
[...]
[...].
[...]
[...];
[...]
[...].
[...]
[...].
A. DOVVNES Graecus Professor Regius Cantabrigiae.
[...].
[...],
[...],
[...]
[...];
[...]
[...].
[...]
[...],
[...],
[...].
[...]
[...].
[...]
[...].
[...];
[...],
[...],
[...].
[...]
[...].
[...]
[...],
[...],
[...].
[...],
[...],
[...]
[...].
I.B. C.S.I.
In obitum praestantissimi viri Domini Edouardi Leukenor, Militis, charissimae (que) vxoris Dominae Susannae Leukenor foeminae lectissimae, Carmen funebre.
QVId memorem claram stirpem? quid munera mentis?
Quid doctrinarum pectora plena penu?
Quidué tuam dicam linguarum cognitionem?
Quàm doctis doctus faueris ipse viris?
Quid referam, tua simplicitas, prudentia quanta?
Quâ patriam promptus iuueris vsque tuam.
Quid mores suaues, candorem carmine pingam?
Non minùs ipsâ re; nomine [...] eras.
Te Leuknore magis pietas celebrauit, & ardens
Saluificae Christi relligionis amor.
Qui Christum coluere pio es complexus amore,
Praeconum Christi maxima cura tibi.
Tu moreris, nostrae noxae meritae sapientis
Exemplo orbari consilio (que) viri.
Quin moritur tecum pia foemina & optima coniux,
Vnà dulce fuit viuere, dulce mori.
Felices animas! quas nos gaudere sinamus
Coelesti in regno, te, bone Christe, frui.
THOMAS HARRISON C.T.
In obitum viri pietatis & eruditionis nomine clarissimi Edouardi Leuknor Suffolciensis Equitis aurati, & lectissimae foeminae Susannae coniugis eius.
VErè [...] eras [...]; verè ergo vocari
[...] poteras, fuit omen nomine in isto:
Verè sanctus eras vitâ, sermone benignus,
Ingenio lenis, sic vt non mitior alter,
Pacis amans, litis (que) expers, fautor (que) bonorum,
Musarum summus verbis factis (que) patronus,
Iustitiae exemplar, sine fuco & fraude, sequenti
Praesenti (que) aeuo, causarum (que) arbiter aequus:
Denique totus eras niueus: niueo ergo lapillo
Dignus; te propter candorem pectoris omnes
Laudârunt passim, celebrantes funera fletu.
Ingens ad tumulum confluxit turba virorum,
Accurrunt tristes, pueri, iuuenés (que), sené (que),
Et properant matres simul innuptae (que) puellae,
Plebeij, procerum necnon generosa propago.
Auxit & hunc populi luctum charissima coniux,
Quae tibi per multos annos sociata cubili,
Horis ante obitum paucis disiuncta recessit.
At quos iunxit amor viuos, disiungere nunquam
Mors poterit, manet haec tecum, aeternúm (que) manebit;
Disiunctos terrâ, coelum coniunxit in aeuum,
Haec in vtrum (que) meum testentur carmina amorem.
I. A. Coll. S. Ioan.
In coniunctum Edouardi Lewkenoris Militis dignissimi, & Susannae vxoris eiusdem eximiae, obitum.
TEmpore si nostro vixisset Naso, quid ille
De modò defunctis diceret? Vnus erant;
[Page 25]Vnus erant verè tam vir, quàm nobilis vxor;
Vnus corporibus, cordibus vnus erant;
Vna domus dominis, thalamus fuit vnus amicis;
Deuotis vnum numen, & vna fides;
An non ergò fuit diuinis nexa Catenis
Copula, tàm multis copula nexa modis?
An non vt pariter nexa est, pariter (que) soluta
Diuina simul hoc contigit esse manu?
Se potuit non illa queri, non ille relictum,
Terrigenas vnà deposuêre domos;
Sic finire dies decuit, sic ducere; primis
Vltima, mors vitae sic fuit apta suae.
Viuite foelices, alijs sponsalibus instat
Praefinita dies, instat & alter hymen;
Intereà tellus laudes aequabit Olympo,
Siuè Edouarde tuas, siuè Susanna tuas;
Quas benè religio meruit, quas munera Musis,
Quas benè mors meruit, quas benè vita prior.
E Coll. Regio.
In coniunctum EDOVARDI LEVVKENORIS Militis dignissimi & SVSANNAE vxoris eiusdem eximiae, obitum.
VIr (que) vxor (que) diù paritèr vixêre, quid inde?
Et pariter vitam deseruêre suam;
Quàm benè conueniunt? quàm iustis consona votis?
Quàm benè respexit summus vtrum (que) Deus?
Qui sic imposuit vitae, sinem (que) labori
Sic vt vtri (que) suus possit abesse dolor;
O vos foelices dicam, queis corpore iunctis
Aequali semper viuere sorte datum;
At ter foelices animas, queis carne solutis
Iam datur in clara luce videre Deum.
E Coll. Regio
Amplissimi viri EDVARDI LEVVKNOR militis, [...], eruditorum patroni singularis, & coniugis SVSANNAE, foeminae lectissimae memoriae, Carmen.
HInc abit Eduardus Lewknor, quis sanctior ille?
Aut quis Apollineo doctior ore fuit?
Ille fuit morum [...], nubecula nulla,
Eclepsis radijs nec fuit vlla suis.
Instar Crystalli [...], nec naeuus in ipso,
Sed sine nube nitens, sed sine fraude virens.
Verius es Magnes, quid enim non attrahis? olim
Laudem, nunc lachrimas vrbis & orbis habes.
Aliud.
LEwknor abis? nobis magnos abeundo laturus
Luctus, aetherijs gaudia magna polis.
Ridet adesse hymnis; elegis iam deflet abesse;
Te tuus aether habens; te tua terra carens.
Miles abit, sequitur (que) suam bene fidus amantem
Susannam vxorem dulce decus (que) suum.
Vnà voxerunt ambo, simul ambo abierunt,
Et simul Elysijs, exspatiantur agris.
DA. DOLBEN. Coll. S. Ioan.
Epitaphium.
SI nescis, Lector, tumulo conduntur in isto
Digni nominibus foemina vir (que) suis.
H [...]nc eten [...]m fecere viro Leucanera nomen
Candida mens, purae relligionis amor.
Su [...]m vxori nomen dedit vna matronis
G [...]mma colenda, Fides intemerata thori.
O male! cur ambos simul inuida fata tulere?
Quàm vellem vl [...]erius viueret is vel ea:
O bene! viuentes quos vis sociauit amoris,
Vita cedentes hos sociauit humus.
In egregium Equitem.
[...]
[...].
Aliud.
QVae bene conueniunt, genus, ars, opulentia, virtus,
Raro conueniunt, sunt tamen ista tibi.
Mortem (que) hoc superas, quod tantum corpus ademit,
Non tibi virtutes, nec tua parta tuis.
Aliud.
QVid septem errantes numerantur in aethere stellae,
Quando artes vno tot nituere viro?
Iuncta quòd his pieta, dici sphaera vltima possis,
Te (que) mori, mea non, sed tua Musa vetat.
RO. THEOBALD Coll. Trin.
[...].
[...]
[...].
[...]
[...].
[...],
[...].
Within this monument enclos'd of twise two couples beene
The bodies twaine. Areed who can what might this riddle meane.
The Explication.
The bodies whose they be we know too well:
Foure couples thus. In wedlocks happy bands
First were they ioyn'd: And next, one Death did quell
Them both at once: For third, this Tombe so stands
Their common sepulture: And last of all,
Coupled they beene in ioyes celestiall.
W. B.
In Lewknorum nobis ereptum coelo additum.
MAgnus honos magnum, praeclaro stemmate nasci,
At maior stirpem vincere mente suam;
Dispeream ni Leuknerus generosior ortu [...]
Et genus & formam vicerit ingenio.
Vicerit ingenio tali, quale haud periturum
Credidimus, sed mox mors inopina rapit.
Nec mirum: tales citiùs sibi Rector Olympi
Vendicat, & nostros non sinit esse diu.
Ergo mihi salue aeternùm, aeternum (que) valeto
Sancte vir, aeternum nomen ab orbe feres.
QVos viuos thorus vnus, amor coniunxerat vnus,
Vna (que) defunctos nunc habet vrna duos.
Et quos October modò nobis abstulit vnus,
Si non coniungat pagina nostra, nefas.
Viuite foelices animae simul, vnus Olympus
Vos habeat, Phoebe haec, tu (bone) Phoebus eris.
In obitum viri nobiliss. iuxta ac doctiss. D. Eduardi Lewkenor & Susannae suae.
Ad vxorem.
VS (que) adeone tibi charus (lectissima) coniuxVt prae te possit nullus adire n [...]cem?
Foemina quòd potuit te sine obire necem?
Ad vxorem.
Siste monent Musae gradieris sera sub vmbras,Vir tuus vt praeeat, foemina siste monent.
Vxor.
Mallem mille pati mortes; concedite MusaeMe sine quàm pereat pars prior ille mei.
Ad virum.
At tu cui melior finxit praecordia PhoebusPer si quid nostri sit tibi dulce mane.
Vir.
Te, te, mitte preces; sequar o sequar vmbra per vmbrasChara animae coniux; Pieri mitte preces.
Ad vtrum (que).
Foelices animae, virtus quas acrior egitViuere nec solas nec potuisse mori.
Gu. Hu. T. C.
In obitum viri illustrissimi quâ virtute & pietate, quâ natalibus & doctrina, Dom. EDOVARDI LEVVKENOR cum lectissima coniuge D. SVSANNA vnius diei interuallo erepti, Epicedium.
NVper vt extinctum vidit LEVVKENORA VIRTVS
Et comitem SANCTAE CONIVGIS ire suae,
Prospiciens alijs dum certa pericula temnit
Officij & ne pars desiet vlla cauet:
Fleuit. Et hanc meritis mercedem talibus inquit
SVMME DEVS? sic heû, sic datur esse PIIS?
Cui PIETAS. Miserae Mors vltima linea vitae,
At (que) eadem aeternae est ianua certa PIIS.
Quid miserare HOMINES? Nempe his occumbere FATVM est.
Quidue PIOS? LVCRVM est. Hoc quo (que) quod CITIVS.
Quod PARITER rapti caussa haec super vna querelae est:
Atqui erat EX VOTO hoc. Sic voluêre mori.
G.B. C.E.
The same in English, verse for verse.
VVHen Virtue lately did behold Sir Edward Lewkenor die,
And hence depart in his religious Ladies companie;
Others from danger whiles to saue, his owne he doth neglect,
That only shunnes in virtuous deed to shew the least defect:
She wept, And ah for such deserts this recompence (quoth she)
O highest God? Thus thus alas! reward'st thou pietie?
To whom Religion thus. Death is this wretched lifes last date,
And to the godly Death the same is life-eternals gate.
Why wailest thou men? To whom to die once it is destinie;
Or why the godly? 'Tis their gaine. And more if speedily
That one cause of complaint remaines; together these be gone:
But this was euermore their wish; neither would liue alone.
Vere nobilis & pius D. Edouardus Lewkenor serò sepultus, lugendus semper.
POst cita fata tibi funus serum obtigit. At quàm
Post tua sera dolor funera longus erit.
Vita breuis, funus serum tumulus (que) perennis;
At dolor est vitâ longior & tumulo.
I Leuknere, anima haec astris est dignior: istic
Laeta superuiuet & tumulo, & lachrymis.
In Coniuges coniunctissimos.
DVxêre vitam nec diuturnam satis
Simitu beatam amore dulci coniuges;
Clausere demum, at citius, extremum diem
Simitu beati morte sanctâ coniuges,
Quin & supremi compotes ambo poli
Hausere puri poculum vnum nectaris;
Et nunc eâdem vestiuntur gloriâ
Beati amore, morte, coelo coniuges.
IOS. HALL. Coll. Eman.
In obitum religiosissimi Militis Edoardi Leukneri.
LEuknerus iste, quem sepultum in marmore
Plangunt amici, (turba moesta & languida)
In fornicato coelitum palatio,
Inter micantes syderum globos sedet.
Vbi praemiorum iustus arbiter Deus,
Stellis tot ornat fulgidis celsum caput
Quot ante gessit corde virtutes suo.
Illic beato conditoris in sinu
Lustratur illa, quae per obscurum vident
Quicun (que) carnis non soluti vinculis
Caliginosum hoc incolunt tentorium.
Nos turba tristis interim fata incessimus,
Et saxa tanquam fixa terrae, quaerimus
Illum in sepulchro: cui tamen virtus sua
Etiam ante mortem fecit in coelo locum.
Humana spes aeternitatis inclytae,
Niuis instar esset, quam procellosi furor
Percussit Austri, vis (que) flammantis Dei:
Si mors triumphum consequatur alterum,
Animam (que) tumulus idem, & ossa contegat.
Sed non vigorem saeua mors tantum tenet;
Condi sepulchro corpus haud anima potest,
Emergit illa, mens (que) magnorum virûm
Aeternitatis arduam calcat viam.
Habe ergo (gurges corporum) corpus tibi:
Quondam beati spiritus habitaculum
Vanum trophaeum sit licet tantùm viri
Corpus, thesaurus maior quam vt cedat tibi.
Ode, in qua D. D. Edouardi & Susannae Leukenorum coniugum & inuicem amantissimorum & cum caeteroqui multifariam tum breui mortis interuallo nobilium, apotheosis.
PAr inuidendum, nec lachrymabili
Vexanda versu funera, funera
Auctura stellas, & sub axes
Conspicuam meritura sortem,
Seu vos repostas imperio iuuat
Vrgere terras, seu dare splendida
Inter paternos iura ciues,
Seu liquido radiare ponto.
Nam nec superbas Naxia flectere
Edocta tigres dignior asseri,
Nec saeuus Orion minaci
Vel iaculo violens vel ense.
Foecunda coelo copia fortium
Nec insolenti sydera pellice
Grauantur olim, RARA castis
Conqueritur plaga sub maritis.
Hoc fine vestras fas mihi tollere
Laudes & amplo dicere carmine
Diuisa vix vllâ duorum
Fata morâ, pariles (que) cursus.
Simul profecti non simul ad locum
Venistis ambo: nam prior optima
Dignata Nympharum coronâ est
Et volucres agitauit alas,
Vel illa sexûs munere libera
Palmae appropinquans, & melior pede,
Vel faecis expers, humida (que)
Mole carens, propior (que) Diuis.
Proh quanti amare est? non tulit hanc vicem
Lato relictus sponsus in aequore
Iam solus, haerentem (que) gliscit
Quâlibet expedijsse metam?
Non ille vitae parcus & omnium
Contemptor, atras quò redimat moras,
Sed nulla cunctantem sub arcto
Vota iuuant, spacio (que) languet.
Fertur Cupido purpureas sibi
Dempsisse pennas protinùs & viro
Aptasse prudens his perito
Remigijs sapienter vti.
Tum copulantur. Nunc quo (que) (si fides)
Caelo receptos ludere sic iuuat,
Nympham (que) porrectam marito
Praetimidas glomerare plantas.
SAMVEL COLLINAEVS C. Regal.
TEn thousand thanks ye Muses for your paine.
How may poore sheepheard euer hope requite
Your curtesie, but debtor still remaine?
Vnlesse you take this recompence though light,
T' admire your skill; and wish your Poësie
May giue, or from your subiect take eternitie.
But mought it not offend your learned eares,
The ruder song of simple countrey swaines
Vncunning all, be ioyned to your teares?
Small cunning needs him that indeed complaines.
Ah well I wot our rymes be base and poore;
But if they shall expresse our griefe, we wish no more.
FVNERALL VERSES Vpon the death of the religious, famous and vertuous knight Sir Edward Leuknor and Dame Susan his wife.
IF euer Countrey, cause had to complaine,
For losse of one who did her state vpholde
By iustice due, the right for to maintaine,
And beat downe wrong with courage good and bolde:
Then Suffolke mourne, for thou hast lost that wight
This worthy man Sir Edward Lewkenor Knight.
If euer children yet had cause to say,
We are depriu'd of louing Parents deare,
Who train'd vs vp in feare of God alway,
Whose vertues true, did in their life appeare;
Then children mourne, more cause haue you than other,
Depriu'd at once of father and of mother.
If Shepheard true had euer cause to weepe
For losse of such, who lou'd him as their life,
For tender lambes, for faithfull louing sheepe,
Who lou'd his peace, and loath'd all iar and strife:
Mourne gentle shepheard now great cause you haue,
For those two friends that couered lie in graue.
Amongst the rest who take the mourning parts,
Do we their seruants ioyne our willing hands:
In outward blacke and with true sabled harts
Do we all mourne, who ti'd in duties bands,
Did late enioy masters so deare and kinde,
Too good for vs, vpright in heart and minde.
Farewell my light, sayth dolefull Denham towne,
My ioy, my stay, my comfort in distresse:
My liuing life is now by death pull'd downe,
And for my ioy I mourne in heauinesse:
But cheare thy selfe, let hope thy griefe asswage,
Of God supply in this succeeding age.
The poorer sort may sing their songs of griefe,
With tuning wo, with sad and moistened teares,
For losse of these, who fed them with reliefe,
And to their cry did open both their eares.
The poores complaint did neuer come in vaine,
For which on earth their lasting fame shall raigne.
O Traiterous death, the stayes of publicke State
Which pluck'st away! Cruell, which Parents deare
From children! Impious, which do'st separate
Pastors from sheepe! Vniust, with heauy cheare,
Which bid'st vs seruants seeke worse seruices!
Which rob'st the poore! Hard harted, mercilesse!
But welcome Death, for thou art sent of God
To them for ioy, to vs for smarting rod.
S.P.
Vpon the death of the most religious Knight Sir EDVVARD LEVVKENOR.
LEt others lend their teares, others their verse;
Ile stand a dumbe admirer at thy herse.
These be the things which may adorne thy death
And giue thy name an euer liuing breath.
Yet shall my tongue-tide admiration tell
As much as others teares and verses will.
That griefe which can expresse it selfe is small,
That's great which makes men in amazement fall.
Vpon the death of the most vertuous and religious Lady Madame SVSAN LEVVKENOR, in allusion to her name signifying a Lilly.
FAire Lilly flower thou bearest thy name aright:
Amongst the Dames thou wast for woman head,
As is among the flowers the Lilly bright:
Like flower thou hast not left vs in thy stead,
For beauty and sweetnesse, bounty, modesty,
And lilly loue, and purest chastity,
And chiefly for thy sweetest sweetnesse piety.
Thou wast. A wofull word alas to say:
Now like a Lilly which vnkindly frost,
Or soultering heat through Phoebus piersant ray
Hath smitten; right anon soone hath it lost
That goodly state became it erst so well,
And that pure white wherein it did excell,
Yet of the former sweetnesse doth reteine some smell:
Or as the Lilly rauncht with cruell hand,
From tender stalke to dight some garland gay,
Hath reau'd the garden where it wont to stand
Of that faire sight which there it did display.
So thou, ô cruell Death! whose fell despight
Of fairest flower hath rob'd our garden quite,
Faire Lilly, thou in heauens garland shin'st more bright.
O! as the Lilly cropt doth yet retaine
Within her root some part of liuing power,
Which may with Springs returne put forth againe,
And many stalkes adorne ech with his flower:
So mought it ô faire Lilly fare with thee,
Many like flowers for one God let vs see;
O goodly sight! And so it is, or so shall be.
W.B.
On the death of Sir EDVVARD LEVKNOR and his Ladie.
DEath came to him: she willing he should liue,
Called pale Death vnto her weary bed,
And wish'd her dearest husband mought suruiue,
And that she might be stroken in his sted:
He heard her sute; and death importuned
To ceaze on him, and suffer her aliue;
So ech would faine their life for other giue.
Death with the choice amaz'd; at last thus sed,
'Tis pity that a paire of soules so deare
Should by my fatall stroke be seuered:
One would be loth to liue without his fere,
One shall not be without the other dead.
Ah Death; I wist not earst thou wert so witty,
But call'st thou Pitty this? 'twas cruell pitty.
Vpon the death of the woorthy Knight Sir Edward Lewkenor and his vertuous Ladie.
SHould I inuoke your aide (you luklesse nine)
Or pray you helpe my sorrow-burthened verse?
Sits not with mournfull plaintifs to be fine,
Or stately strowe fresh flowers on fading herse:
Suffice me that my sorrowes selfe may be
Both Muse and matter to mine Eligee.
Nor need I now those howling hirelings aid
That helpe affection with their mourning art:
Tribute of teares is easie to be payd;
Soone weepe the eyes when wounded is the hart:
Let fained loue shed teares enforcedly,
Vnfained mine will weepe vnfainedly.
Had not the headlong fates with ruthlesse spight
Bereau'd these Worthies of beloued breath,
My sullen words had not my thoughts endight;
Nor had I worne a sable Cypresse wreath:
But now (vnhappy now!) th' heauens so ordaine.
What heauens decree, we spurne thereat in vaine.
If heauens fate-binding doome be such and such,
Why do I fill the aire with bootlesse plaints?
Let not my wailefull verses haplesse touch
Disturbe the arches of these quiet saints.
But ô let passions tongue haue leaue to speake,
Lest passions fury make his prison breake.
Ah neuer let me so respectlesse part,
But rather let these sorrow-drenched eyes
Streame out whole fountaines from my sobbing hart;
And let my plainings eccho to the skies:
So may the euer-turning heauens proclaime
Our home-bred sorrowes to another maine.
Let not those dayes be mark't except with teares,
Or wip'd out of the Kalender of Time:
Nor hang in file on Genius siluer heares
Guilty of so inexpiable crime.
As wont the guilty conscience flie the light,
Let them be couered all with pitchy night.
Let not, ô let not after-times record,
The fatall sisters lawlesse power of death
Was such. O why should these sad dayes afford
Matter for backe-bite Momus brood to breath
Their ioyfull Iöes to a higher straine,
Or frame triumphals to their bitter vaine?
As if (ô madnesse!) any would be glad
Or please their moody fancies at this sight?
When Enuies selfe at this euent is sad;
And black-mouth'd venemous vnhallowed spight
Dares not prophane those sacred altars Fame,
Erects and iustly to their vertuous name.
And ô what madnesse hath my wit distraught,
Vnkindly to enuy their high estate?
I saw their happy soules with pleasures fraught
Triumphant enter in Elisium's gate.
Elizaes spirit with the blessed rest
Did flocke to welcome so desired guest.
Liue long in blisse you heauen-beloued soules
For vs; since we your dearest presence lost,
Since what we most desire great God controules:
Yet shall our comfort in this one be most,
That what your happy breath whilest you did liue,
The same your blessed memory shall giue.
W. Firmage.
DEATHS APOLOGIE, and a Reioynder to the same.
STay, Stay good men: Runne not so fast away.
My word I will not harme you: once trust Death.
Loe here my dreadfull dart aside I lay.
See, see these fearefull fooles; As if full eath
I could not soone at take ye if me list.
Was neuer man could yet out-runne me that I wist.
But hearken Sirs the whiles I heere defend
Mine innocence against your harmlesse spight:
Ye talke and write your list, as if ye wend
That Death were deafe, or had no sense of sight
In these large eye-holes: Rest perswaded thus
I heare ye all, and reade I trow, vt Clericus.
In euery leafe before (loe heere the priefe)
Ye raile on me, and at your pleasure call
False, cruell, cursed; Traitor, fellon, thiefe.
Once shall I be auenged on ye all.
Nay stay: I'le keepe my word now; though not long
But this I say, be Iudge your selues, ye do me wrong.
For first I plead I am an officer
Of highest God, whom ye haue all agilt:
Was neuer Hangman counted Murtherer,
Or once araigned for the bloud he spilt.
Nor am I Traitor false, that warne before,
Let no man trust me; Thus I counsell euermore.
I am no Thiefe, for nought I take away:
The soule and body both I leaue behinde:
But this is true, that from the baser clay
I separate the purer spirit the minde.
Multiplication or Alchymy
You mought me thinks more truly call my maistery.
Yet not (which lawes forbid) of heaped gold;
This worlds good I recke not all a beane;
And whatsoeu'r I be I dare be bolde
Of couetise to iustifie me cleane:
Of briberie and partialitie
No officer I trow is in this world so free.
But to be faultlesse I account but small:
Except I well deserue I nought excuse,
What euer crime that I am charg'd withall:
O then vngratefull men which thus abuse
Your chiefest friend! and rage as ye were wood
At him that is the only worker of your good.
From wretched world the confines of your life,
To blissefull Paradise from whence ye fell,
By one offence occasioning the strife
Twixt God and you, which did you all expell,
Two wayes there lie; one kept with brandish't flame
Of Angels sword, no mortall wight may passe the same.
But I am Porter to that other gate,
Straight is the wicket, nor without my leaue
May force or skill winne enterance thereat:
O foolish men! what madnesse doth bereaue
Your better wits, which ought of Death to craue,
That through that happy gate you might free passage haue.
As wandring Pilgrime from his natiue soile
With many weary steps which long hath strayed,
And in his iourney found but paine and toile,
And dangers derne that haue him oft dismayed;
How gladly doth he climbe the welcome raft,
That to his countrey soone and safely shall him waft?
O men your life is but a Pilgrimage,
Heauen is your natiue seat of blessednesse:
This world here yeelds you sorry herbigage,
Sweat, Sorrow, sicknesse, Paine, all wretchednesse:
Mine is that only Barge, that through Gods grace
Shall faire and well transport you to your dwelling place.
Were 't not well done to leaue you heere behind,
That loue your exile, like your misery,
And cast your countries care all out of mind?
(But for the Soueraigne Maiesties decree,
Which bids me bring your liues all to one end,
And send to Hell such as to Heauen will not wend.)
O if vnwieldy Age with stealing pase
Approaching fast should cast vpon your backe
His heauy burthen: when your riue'ld face
The former beauties painted pride should lacke,
When euery sense waxe dull, eares deafe, eyes dim,
Taste all vnsau'ry, starke and stiffe each ioint and limbe.
How would ye then bewaile each weary day,
And wish ye rid at once out of your paine?
Why is this loathed light (Thus would ye say)
On wretched wights alas bestow'd in vaine?
And life on such as no lifes ioy can haue
Which long for Death; which glad & faine would find the graue?
As when the painfull labourer hath spent
Some longer light of swelting Phoebus ray,
And faithfully hath paid the common rent
Of sweating brow vnto this earthly clay,
To winne his bread: how sweet a thing is sleepe,
That his forwearied limbes in dreamelesse rest doth steepe?
Such Sleepe is Death; such Day this life of your;
The longer still more painfull than at first:
All is but toile full wast of troublous houres,
Yet of declining Age the last are worst.
But how would ye complaine of tedious day,
If neither Sun would go, nor sleepe would come away?
Besides from these complaints, what shall I tell
That greater mischiefe whence I set you free?
No paine or torment were it that of Hell
Is halfe such ill as Sinnes base slauerie;
Sathans by Sinne. O euer wretched men,
Till from this Death, which only can Death rid you cleane!
This knew right well, the paire you so lament,
With other Saints whose memories ye praise;
To whom the ioiful'st message could be sent
From heauen, was grant of what they wish't alwaies;
Soone to be loosed from these bonds of Sinne,
To be with Christ; and soone eternall glory winne.
But you ô seruile kind rest well appaid
With this your Bridewell: nor that worthy name
Ye all vnworthy beare which should vpbraid
Your recreant thoughts, doth ought vp lift the same
To where your Sauiour loe aduan'ct on hie
Doth glorious sit, at Gods right hand in Maiesty.
There crown'd with him these two and all the rest
Which while they liu'd prepar'd and wish't to die,
Are now secure of all that might infest
Their blessed state; of Sinne, of misery.
You waile their Death, they pity this your paine,
And would not be for all this world vndead againe.
Is this inough to cleare mine innocence,
And proue my good desert? or haue ye ought
Which heere against may make the least pretence?
Say hardly what you can. But well bethought
With Tragicke termes ye curs'd my cruelty
Which both at once this vertuous paire haue done to die.
Thereto (said some) it was a sinnefull deed
So vertuous part thus ill to recompence.
But this it prooues me thinks that greatest meede
It is to vertue soone to go from hence.
If God be iust (as sure he is) the best
Amongst rewards he giues vnto the worthiest.
Nor was that least reward, (which you complaine)
To pay with Curtuous duty Natures debt:
Was neuer any man that could maintaine
To longer terme a point of vertue yet.
O goodly praise and euen to be enui'd!
These vertuously did when they liu'd, and whiles they di'd.
And if such gaine it be to leaue this light,
And losse to liue though you account it gaine:
If fellowship in you encrease delight,
In sorrow somewhat mitigate the paine:
For them it was the best (say what ye will)
To go together; whether Death be good or ill.
Besides, in truth these two by iust account,
In life but one both Flesh and Spirit were:
And as in lawes esteeme they did amount
But to one person; so they seem'd to beare
One mind. And wa'st not fit one Dust one Graue;
One Soule one Enterance into heauenly ioies should haue?
Farre be from Death such cruelty, to part
So one a paire? to breake so euen a yoke:
Heere to themselues were wont to wish you dare
Might neuer faile to hit them at one stroke.
Goe blessed Spirits yfere, which louely late
Were in your life; nor in your death be separate.
But O base Earthwormes! whether shall I call
Boldnesse or madnesse rather this of your?
Dare you presume t' emplead the Lord of all,
Or aske a reason of that Soueraigne power,
Why this he doth or thus? Because he will:
His pleasure 's iust; and that shalbe performed still.
That will of his I doe but execute,
As now to take this Lady and her Knight
At once away: His pleasure absolute
Was such. O cease this vn-approached light
With feeble eies to view; nigh not this flame
Poore flies, for feare your wings be sienged with the same.
And yet for Prouidence this let me say
(If that high Wisedome neede defence of me)
Why should ripe corne in field for haruest stay;
Or mellow Apple hang vpon the tree?
These two were ripe for heauen, or neuer none;
The bough but touch't with gentle hand, they fell alone.
What need more words? If ought be done amisse
Blame not the seruant for the Masters will:
I did mine office. If such villanies
As Murther, Theft, and Treason, I haue still
Detested: If base Gaine hath not infect
These guilty hands: if of no crime I be detect:
O if I shew you Christ in glorious throne;
With him the Court of heauen, where be my friends
The Patriarchs and Prophets euery one;
Apostles, Martyrs; all which at their ends
Long wished for before faire welcom'd me:
If through my meanes this paire with these now ioined be.
O men I craue no fauour; doe me right:
Condemne not thus a guiltlesse innocent.
Or if ye thinke to spend your hateful'st spight
On him that you least harme yet neuer ment,
O let me die (loe heere when all is seid
The surest proofe to die not il, Death would be dead.)
I know I must. And well I am content
To leaue this thanklesse office. what you men
Account worst ill, let be my punishment,
Soone let me die. Crie lowder yet Amen.
But Sirs you must go first no remedy
Whil'st any one of you's aliue Death cannot die.
Come then: Who shall be first, which to dispatch
That Hangman Death; through his owne noble hart
To stabbe the Traitor; will this dagger snatch?
Or with this halter, lesse to feele the smart;
Will helpe to hang the Fellon speedily?
Or with himselfe empoison him more cunningly?
Thou hast deseru'd to die. Take here this knife:
Do some iust thing aliue, with edge or point.
And thou in this disgrace; what boots thee life?
From yonder Tower thou mayst thy necke disioynt.
Thou know'st not how to liue: why draw'st thou breath?
Needs must thou die: chuse while thou maist some fairer death.
Thy dearest friend, thy loue, thy life is gone:
Vnfaithfull, senselesse blocke! why stai'st behinde?
Thy goods be lost, why mak'st thou bootlesse mone,
Till beggerie or famine do thee finde?
O Coward! wilt thou take this iniurie
Without reuenge? Or die or kill: And kill and die.
Old man, I know thou hast of life thy fill,
Die. Die poore babe; thy life begins with teares.
Die wretched men, you call vpon me still.
You happie; die whilest yet no ill appeares.
Die all: that once the feare of Death were past:
T's but a minutes while. As good at first as last.
A REIOINDER TO Death.
O Subtill Death that would'st enmoue my minde
To loath this life, and from my pensiue brest
Dislodge it selfe: The stronger law of kinde
(A secret bond which can not be exprest)
Enchaines that with this body still to dwell.
I hate thee Death; suppose that why I can not tell.
Yet if from God from whom none ill may be
This life doe come, 'ts good: if that be ill
Which good depriues; for all thy Sophistry
I know thee well, The worke of Sathans will,
The wracke of Nature, The first borne of Sinne,
Gods curse, The wretchednesse we men be wrapped in.
Thou plead'st thou art an Officer. No lesse
Is Sathans selfe the cruell fiend of Hell.
Thy wicked words thy murthering mind expresse,
That would'st perswade weake men themselues to quell.
Traitour, thou giuest no warning, that we know:
Not thou, that none thee trust; but wisedome warneth so.
A threefold thiefe thou are, which takest away
Soule from the body, body from the soule,
Both from the world. And that which thou dost say
To scuse thy coueteise, I can controule
By text of holy writ: Three other moe
To thee there beene, whose greedinesse neuer saith ho.
Art thou not partiall which alike do'st take
Vnequals all? why staies thy fatall blow
From traiterous wretches? first why do'st thou make
The best thy marke? God mercy would it so;
The best be fit for heauen the worst may mend.
So would his Iustice all our liues came to one end.
No thanke to thee. well yet thou freest our life
From many miseries. So greater ill
Secures the lesse: As where the Plague is rise,
It ceaseth other sicknesse. wilt thou still
Vaunt from sinnes bondage how thou set'st vs free?
That honour's Christs (vaine boaster) 'ts no thanke to thee.
What? Do the damned Ghosts from sinne surcease?
Or see they Christ? or rest in heauenly blisse?
As true it is that these which now in peace
Haue left this world, which knew they should not misse
Of better-changed life were friends to thee:
O no they wish't and longed for eternity.
And dar'st thou mention Christ with caytiue tongue
Thine enemy, thy conquerour, thy death?
Or promise Paradise? o filth and dung!
Which nigh infectest with thy noysome breath
Those heauenly ioies. So vaunted once the Flie
She rais'd the dust, whilest on the waine she pearch't on hie.
Thou lik'st Death well. No wonder that at all:
Fooles loue themselues though riuals be away.
That passeth yet, where thou do'st sadly call
To helpe dispatch thee, men themselues to slay.
Thy worth's not such. Nor we such fooles to die
(O subtile folly!) soone the feare of death to flie.
I can a better way than that, I trow:
I will despise and scorne thy hurtlesse hisse,
Alas poore worme thy sting is gone I know,
Doe then thy worst: Thy worst shalbe my blisse
I haue deseru'd to die; And so I shall.
I must; when God is pleas'd I am content withall.
Yet shall it not be vengance for my sinne:
Christ is my boot that neuer made offence.
His death or rather life shall enterance winne
For me to Heauen, when thou debar'd from thence
Shalt headlong into lowest Hell be cast.
Go now and vaunt to giue the thing thou neuer hast!
As to the rest; if in disgrace I be;
The more I'le scorne thee. If my state be base;
I'le liue in spite of Death, more bold, more free,
Let them feare Death that stand in Fortunes grace.
Needs must I die? what skils it when or how?
One life I haue, let Tyrants take of that inough.
My friends are gone. Their happinesse is more.
I'le loue them in their issue left aliue.
O might I lead them their high steps t' adore
Though far before, and to their Fame suruiue,
My faith should well appeare though left behind:
If not; their Death with griefe shall oftner come to minde.
My goods are lost. No goods; or els not mine.
I had not lost them had they beene mine owne:
Ill mote I thriue if for such losse I pine,
My patience left, my state's not ouerthrowne.
If I be wrong'd, I'le wreake me at my will:
I'le take a noble vengeance, and do good for ill.
What sayest thou Death? Put on thy dreadfulst face:
And arme thy murthering hand with bloudy dart.
From vertues path I will not step a pace,
(With God to friend) all should it sticke my hart.
Thus liu'd this paire whose bodies dead here lie
Thus di'd. O Christ so let me liue, so let me die.
Loe heere I meeke me to thy gouernance
Lord of my life and death; welcome thy will.
Thy souereigne wisdomes gracious purueyance
Shall be my wish, please thee to spare or spill.
If thy offence as greatest ill I flie,
That while I neither care nor feare, to liue or die.
FINIS.
ERRATA.
Pag. 1. lin. 2. vneath to p. 3. l. 4. bites the graue. p. 12. l. 10. defletura p. 12. l. 17. supremos p. 13. l. 18. tantu'st p. 14. l. 11. it chorus. p. 14. l. 18. mensis p. 15. l. 13. R. Theob. p. 16. l. 3. vndi (que) vos p. 16. l. 4. vndi (que) deflent.