University of Virginia Library

An ELEGY upon the much Lamented Decease of MRS. ELISABETH FOXCROFT

of Cambridge in New England (late Excellent Consort to the Worshipful Col. Francis Foxcroft, Esq; and Daughter to the Honourable, our late Judge & Deputy-Governour, THOMAS DANFORTH Esq; of blessed Memory,) Whose Funeral was Attended, with great Honour, on the 6th Day of July, 1721. Her Immortal Spirit having been Translated to the Paradise of GOD some Days before.

EMINENT Honour, and Esteem,
And Goodness too shall be my Theme.
The Beauties of the Character
No Panegyricks can Declare.
Attempts are Vain: Yet Grief will speak;
And Duty too must silence break.
Most Shining was the Piety
Of that Renowned Family,
From which (To Heav'n be all the Praise;)
This Heroine Extracted was.
This Branch Rear'd up Her Graceful Head
From th' Chast and Sacred Marriage-Bed:
Exciting in Dear Parents Breast,
A Thankful Joy, and happy Rest.
The main Concern was to obtain
Her Clearance from the Guilt and Stain,
Of Adam's Sin which reaches All;
With new Formation of Her Soul.
The MEDIATOR They address;
In Prayers of Faith Their Wish Express,
A Miracle might Change Her State,
Her tender Soul Regenerate,
Furnish Her well with Every Grace,
And Fix Her in the Heav'nly Race.
At Heaven's High Throne of Grace, Their Pray'r
And Pious Vows Accepted were;
And Love and Power Immense so wrought,
She's from a State of Nature brought;
Her Parent's Darling's Sanctify'd;
Kept Spotless; and now Glorify'd.
No Care, no Pains, no Cost were spar'd
She might be Polish'd and Prepar'd;
Instructions, Counsels were not Waste;
Her Orient Soul Implem'd so fast.
Unto Dear FOXCROFT She is Given;
To Help Him in the Way to Heaven;
A Partner of His Joys, and Cares;
Which, with His Griefs, She freely Shares:
But O! the Blessing, in a Wife!
While She Continu'd in this Life!
Deceas'd, She leaves this Legacy,
A dear and Fragrant Memory.
Rare Virtues, in a Rare Degree,
Thou Precious Soul! did Shine in Thee:
Good Prudence, humble Industry,
With undissembled Piety;
Amidst Domestick Pains and Care,
Thy Tradings still for Heav'n appear.
Thy Ripe'ning Time, didst well Imploy
For Blessed Immortality.
Abundantly didst Thou Inherit
That Ornament, the Quiet Spirit.
Thy Willing Hand took up the Cross;
And Every Furnace Purg'd the Dross.
In Meekness, Patience, Charity,
Thou didst excel most gloriously.
From Thee, the Splendours, that did flow,
To Heaven's Refulgent Grace we owe.
Thy Children do Thee Blessed Call;
Thy Husband Praises Thee; And All
Lament the Loss our Land Sustains:
Compensate' only by Thy Gains.
But, Gracious Soul! What? Must Thou goe?
And leave Us, in a World of Woe?
Thou Radiant Gem! Thou Glorious Star!
Than Rubies Richer, and more Rare!
While in the Body, much Desir'd!
Most Faithful, Useful, and Admir'd!
What? Go so soon? Why? Is this Fair
So soon to Leave Thy Children Dear,
And let thine Honour'd Head sit down,
Deprived of His Joy and Crown?
A Crown more Bright than th' Galaxy!
Fit to be Worn by Majesty!
How could'st, with such a willing Mind,
Thy Ransom'd DUST leave here behind!
Earth's Magnet lost its Influence,
E're Thy Translation did Commence:
And many Items of Remove,
Fix'd Thine Affections more above.
Peace of Dependence held Thee fast:
Peace of Rejoycing shone at Last.
All Perilous Encounter's o'er;
Thou'rt Landed on the Halcyon-shoar;
Where Just Men's Spirits Perfect are,
And bid Adieu to Pain and Fear.
There Meet Thee now Ten Thousand Quires,
To Greet Thee with Their Heav'nly Lyres:
How sweetly all their Sonnets flow!
Far sweeter Melody than here below!
Thou Gain'st, But We the Losers are;
Thy Work is Praise, still Ours is Prayer;
‘Thy Worthy CONSORT, now in Tears,
‘GOD lengthen out His Useful Years!
‘Conduct His Soul to th' Highest Shore,
‘To meet Thee there and Part no more!
‘As Thou Thy Parents Piety
‘Partook'st, so may Thy Progeny
‘Share Thine! CHRIST's Church Acknowledge will,
‘The Cov'nant-keeping GOD lives still.’
Thy Reverend Son thy Grace Partakes,
Heav'ns Herauld, He in Duty makes
Thy Virtues, from the Pulpit, Known:
By Telling Thine, He shews His Own:
May Heav'n His Pious Years & Labours Crown!