The poetical works of William Strode ... Now first collected from manuscript and printed sources: to which is added: The floating island a tragi-comedy: Now first reprinted from the original edition of 1655: Edited by Bertram Dobell with a memoir of the author |
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ON DR. LANCTON'S DEATH |
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 | The poetical works of William Strode |  |
ON DR. LANCTON'S DEATH
Because of fleshly mould wee beeSubject unto mortality,
Let noe man wonder at his death,
More flesh he had, and then lesse breath.
But if you question how he died,
'Twas not the fall of swelling pride;
'Twas noe ambition to ascend
Heaven in humility: his end
Assur'd us that his God did make
This peece for our example's sake.
Had you but seene him in his way
To Church, his last blest Sabbath day;
His struggling soule did make such hast
As if each breath would bee his last.
Each bricke hee trod on, shrinking strove
To make his grave and shew its love.
O how his sweating body wept
Knowing how soone it should bee swept
In mould: but while hee kneels to pray
His weighty members long to stay;
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As if he'd leave his spirit there.
Hee gone, looks back, as if to see
The place where he should buried bee,
Bowing as if hee did desire
At the same time for to expire:
Which being done, he long shall dwell
Within the place hee lov'd so well,
Where night and morning hundreds come
A Pilgrimage unto his tomb.
| The poetical works of William Strode | |