A collection of the choicest epigrams and characters of Richard Flecknoe being rather a new work, then [sic] a new impression of the old.
Flecknoe, Richard, d. 1678?
To a Lady who miscarried of Her First-Born Son.
IT always has a Pious Custome been,
To give to Heaven First-fruits of every thing.
And in this manner, Madam, y'have begun,
By giving unto Heaven, your first-born son.
Mean time, you may be most assur'd, that Heaven,
To whom your Son, so piously y'have given,
Will liberally reward you; and for one
That you have given it, give you many a son.
Then, Madam, cease to grieve, and to complain,
If Heaven who gave him, takes him back again;
Who might have longer liv'd, but ne'er cou'd die
For you, nor for himself, more happily.
Happy for him, has that good Fortune had,
'Stead of a Man, to be an Angel made.
Page 50Happy for you, to whom the whilst is given,
'Stead of a Son on Earth, a Son in Heaven.
