That late did shine like crystal stars, Alas, their light it dies: Her prettye lilly hands, With fingers long and small, In colour like the earthly claye, Yea, cold and stiff withall. When as the morning-star Her golden gates had spred, And that the glittering sun arose Forth from fair Thetis' bed; Then did my love awake, 20 25 Like one of bright Diana's nymphs, And as fair Helens face Did Grecian dames besmirche, So did my dear exceed in sight All virgins in the church. 35 40 When When we had knitt the knott Of holy wedlock-band, Like alabaster joyn'd to jett, So stood we hand in hand; Then lo! a chilling cold Strucke every vital part, And griping grief, like pangs of death, Down in a swoon she fell, As cold as any stone; Like Venus picture lacking life, So was my love brought home. At length her rosye red, Throughout her comely face, As Phoebus beames with watry cloudes Was cover'd for a space. When with a grievous groane, And voice both hoarse and drye, Farewell, quoth she, my loving friend, The messenger of God With golden trumpe I see, With manye other angels more, Which sound and call for mee. 0 2 45 50 55 60 Instead Instead of musicke sweet, Go toll my passing-bell; And with sweet flowers strow my grave, That in my chamber smell. 65 70 Whose bride was brought unto the grave A maiden and a wife. A garland fresh and faire And on her coffin laid. Six maidens all in white, Did beare her to the ground: The bells did ring in solemn sort, And made a dolefull sound. 120 125 In earth they laid her then, 130 For hungry wormes a preye; So shall the fairest face alive At length be brought to claye. |