The Lamenting Ladies last farewell to the World.
VVho being in a strange Exile, bewailes her own Misery, complains upon Fortune and Destiny, describes the manner of her breeding, deplores the losse of her Parents, wishing Peace and happines to England, which was her native Country, and withal resolved for death chearfuly, commended her soule to heaven, and her body to the earth, and quietly departed this life. Anno 1650.
To an excellent new Tune, called, Oh hone, O hone.
MOurnfull Melpomeny,
assist my quill,
That I may pensively
now make my will:
Guide thou my hand to write
And sences to indite,
A Ladyes last good-night.
oh pity me.
I that was nobly born
hither am sent,
Like to a wretch forlorn,
here to lament.
In this most strange exile.
Here to remaine a while.
Til heaven be pleas'd to smile
and send for me.
My friends cannot come nigh
me in this place,
Nor bear me company.
such is my case.
Poor I, am left alone,
But few regard my mone,
All my delights are gone,
heaven succour me,
Each day with cares and fears.
I am perplext.
My drink is brinish tears,
with sorrow mixt,
When others soundly sléep,
I sadly sob and wéep
Opprest with dangers deep
Lord comfort me.
When England flourished.
my Parents deer,
Tenderly nourished
me many a year,
I was advanc'd on high,
In place of dignity,
In golden bravery
they decked me.
The second [...]
MY garments drest with pearl
richly approved,
Never was English girle
better beloved,
Old and young, great and smal
Waited upon my cal [...]
I had the love of all
that did know me.
But from my former state
I am cal'd back.
Through destiny and fate,
all goes to wrack.
Fortune did lately frown,
And caught me by the Crowne,
So puld me head-long down.
oh woe is me.
My deer friends are decay'd,
which lov'd me best
Never was harmelesse maid
so much distrest;
My Father he is dead,
My Mother banished
All joyes are from me fled
Heaven comfort me.
Now wel are they at ease.
and sweetly blest,
That may goe when they please
and when they list,
To see their Parents kind,
As nature doth them bind,
Such joyes I cannot finde.
Ah woe is me.
All earthly helps are gone,
I wil and must
Onely in God alone
Put my whole trust.
O blessed Trinity,
One God and persons three,
Release my misery.
and comfort me.
No creature on the earth,
can ease my griefe,
Vntil such time as death
yeeld me releife.
A coffin and a grave,
Is that which I would have.
Sweet Christ my soule receive
and succour me.
My Enemyes that bee
both great and smal,
Good Lord I pray to thee
forgive them all.
May England flourish brave,
When I am laid in grave,
So thus I take my leave
Christ calls for me.
I have in heaven above
a place prepared.
Never shal I remove
from thence afterward,
Go tole my passing-bell,
Whilst Angells ring my knell,
So vain world now farewel,
Christ sends for me.
When she these words had said
with chearful heart
The noble minded maid.
then did depart.
No doubt her soules at rest
With them whom God hath b [...]
The last words she exprest
was, Christ calls for me.
London Prin [...]ed for Tho: Ve [...] in the Old-Baily at the signe of the Angel.
FINIS.