'Twas a child that so did thrive In grace and feature, As Heaven and Nature seem'd to strive Years he number'd scarce thirteen Yet three fill'd zodiacs had he been And did act (what now we moan) As sooth the Parcae thought him one, So, by error, to his fate They all consented; But, viewing him since, alas, too late! And have sought, to give new birth, But, being so much too good for earth, CCCXXVIII B. Jonson. ON THE LADY MARY VILLIERS THE Lady Mary Villiers lies Under this stone; with weeping eyes EPITAPHS If any of them, Reader, were 295 T. Carew. CCCXXIX UPON A CHILD THAT DIED HERE she lies, a pretty bud, The earth that lightly covers her. Herrick. CCCXXX ANOTHER HERE a pretty baby lies Th' easy earth that covers her. Herrick. CCCXXXI THE BURNING BABE As I in hoary winter's night To view what fire was near, Who, scorched with excessive heat, Such floods of tears did shed As though His floods should quench His flames, Which with His tears were fed : 'Alas!' quoth He, but newly born In fiery heats I fry, Yet none approach to warm their hearts Or feel my fire but I ! 'My faultless breast the furnace is ; The fuel Justice layeth on, And Mercy blows the coals, The metal in this furnace wrought Are men's defilèd souls : A HYMN ON THE NATIVITY OF MY SAVIOUR 297 For which, as now on fire I am To wash them in my blood.' With this He vanish'd out of sight And swiftly shrunk away, And straight I called unto mind That it was Christmas Day. CCCXXXII R. Southwell. A HYMN ON THE NATIVITY OF MY I SING the Birth was born to-night, The Son of God, th' eternal King, And freed the soul from danger; He whom the whole world could not take, The Father's wisdom will'd it so, What comfort by him do we win, To see this Babe, all innocence; B. Jonson. CCCXXXIII A CHRISTMAS CAROL CHORUS WHAT Sweeter music can we bring The birth of this our Heavenly King? From the Flourish they came to the Song. |