Epitaphes, epigrams, songs and sonets with a discourse of the friendly affections of Tymetes to Pyndara his ladie. Newly corrected with additions, and set out by George Turbervile Gentleman.

¶ An Epitaph vpon the death of the worship∣full Maister Richarde Edwardes late Mai∣ster of the Children in the Queenes Maiesties Chappell.

IF teares could tell my thought, or plaints could paint my paine, If dubled sighes could shew my smart, if wayling were not vaine:

If gripes that gnawe my brest coulde well my griefe expresse, My teares, my plaints, my sighes, my way∣ling neuer should surcesse. By meane whereof I might, vnto the world disclose The death of such a man (alas) as chaunced vs to lose. But what auayles to mone? If life for life might bée Restorde againe, I woulde exchaunge my lyfe for death with thée. Or if I might some way, to pay thy rawnsome know, (O Edwards) then beleue me sure thou shouldst not lie so low: That O thou cruell Death, so fierce with dint of dart Due curses on my knees I yéelde to thée with all my hart. For that it list thée trie thy foule and cankred spite On that so rare a péece, on that so wise and worthy Wight. Suffisde thée (since thou must be mad) the simple sort to flea, or on the brutish blood of beastes to take thy sport,

And not in furious wise, with haste and headlong rage To kill the flowre of all our Realme and Phaenix of our age. The fact doth crie reuenge, the Gods repay thine hire, Déepe darckned Lake of Lymbo lowe, and still consuming fire. His death not I but all good gentle harts doe mone: O London, though thy griefe be great, thou dost not mourne alone. The seate of Muses nine where fiftene Welles doe flowe, Whose sprinckling springs and golden streames ere this thou well didst knowe. Lament to loose this Plant for they shall see no more The braunch that they so long had bred, whereby they set such store. O happie House, O Place of Corpus Christi, thou That plantedst first, and gauste the roote to that so braue a bow: And Christ Church which enioydste the fruite more rype at fill, Plunge vp a thousande sighes, for griefe your trickling teares distill.

Whilst Childe and Chappell dure, whilst Court a Court shall bée, (Good Edwards) eche estate shall much both want and wishe for thée. Thy tender Tunes and Rimes wherein thou woontst to play Eche princely Dame of Court and Towne shall beare in minde alway. Thy Damon and his Friend, Arcyte and Palemon With moe full fit for Princes eares, though thou from earth art gone, Shall still remaine in fame, and lyke so long to hide As earthly things shall liue, and God this mortall Globe shall guide. For loe, thus Vertue list, hir Pupils to aduaunce: Yet for my part I would that God had giuen thée better chaunce. A longer time on earth, thy hastned death before, But Edwardes now farewell for teares will let me write no more. Well may thy bones be lodgde thy fame abroade may flie, Thy sacred soule possesse a place aboue the starrie Skie.

({quod}) Tho. Twine.