University of Virginia Library

4. An Epitaph on Elizabeth the Lady Reppington, who deceased at Ammington, about the 50. year of of her age, and lies buried at Tamworth.

Here underneath this Monumental Stone
Elizabeth the Lady Reppington
Doth lye inter'd: And therefore whosoere
Thou art that passest by, awhile forbear
Thy hast, and read, and weep; for he's unjust
Unto the merits of her precious dust,
That doth not drop his Tears in showers; for she
Is worthy of eternal Memory,
Worthy of storms of sighes, Thunder of Grones,
To mourn her loss with due afflictions.
The sea-bright family that gave her birth,
Hath gain'd thereby a glory on the earth.
Happy her husband in so good a wife!
Happy her children to receive a life
From such a Magazine of worthes as she!
A fair example for Posterity.
To name her virtues, is to name them all;
She was their Centre, she their pure White-hall,
Their Court, their Palace, where heaven did rejoyce
To see such Cherubims without a vice.
She was their Paradise, and her bright soul
The Diety that did command the whole.
But O! there is another heaven, else sure
Her soul had never left a place so pure.
Earth is not the reward for virtue. Look
Upwards, that's towards her, she is a Book,
A Directory for thy life; which read,
And practiced, thou wilt be so prais'd when dead.