University of Virginia Library



To my deere, meeke, modest, and intirely beloued Mistris Elizabeth Dutton, Mistris Mary, and Mistris Vere Egerton, three Sisters of hopefull destenies, be all Grace and good Fortune.

Sith on my worthiest Schollers I doe muse,
How should my Muse to minde you once neglect,
Sith you are such? Thē, such she shuld abuse,
Should she not vse you with all deere respect.
Thou virgin Widow (eldest of the Three)
(That hold'st thy widows state, of Death in chief)
Death in thy youth (being fast) hath made thee free;
Free from thy Ioy, & fastned thee to Griefe.
But he that is the Lord of lordly Death,
Reserues thine honor'd Sires most honor'd Sire
From Deaths dispite, & while he draweth breath,
Thou (lowly Soule) art likely to aspire.
Thy Sisters (like in Nature, as in Name,
And both in Name and Nature nought but good)
(Beloued Pupills) well may hope the same,
Sith of like grace there is like likelihoode.
Yet in the height of Earths felicitie,
A meeke regard vnto this Picture giue,
To minde you so of lifes mortalitie,
So shall yon liue to die, and die to liue.
Meane while I hope, through your cleere Stars to spie
A Trinitie of Ladies ere I die.
He which (for the exercise of your hie humilitie) you please to call Master