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University of Virginia Library

Poems

By W. H. [i.e. William Hammond]

Hammond, William

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Commanded to write Verses.

The forsaken Maid.

Delay. Upon advice to deferr Loves Consummation.

Upon Cloris her visit after Marriage,

On the infrequency of Celias Letters.

To her questioning his Estate.

The cruell Mistresse.

To his Mistresse, Desiring him to absent himselfe.

To his scornfull Mistresse.

To Mr. J. L. Upon his Treatise of Dialling.

Epithalamium, To the L. T. marryed in the North.

To the same being sicke of a feavour.

To the same, on his Poems and Translations.

To the same on his Poems,

On the Marriage of my deare Kinsman T. S. Esq; and Mrs. D. E.

To Mrs. D. S. on the birth of Sidney, her second Son.

Horat: Od. 3. 3.

To Sr. J. G. wishing me to regain my fortunes by complyance with the Parliament.

A Dialogue upon death.

On the death of my dear brother Mr. H. S. drown'd.

To my dear Sister Mrs. S.

To the same.

On the death of my much honourd Uncle Mr. G. Sandys.

Epitaph on Sir R. D.

Grace Compar'd to the Sun.

Upon the Nativity of our saviour and Sacrament then received.

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72

To the same.

Mans Life.

Man's life was once a span; now one of those
Atoms of which old Sophies did compose
The world; a thing so small, no emptinesse
Nature can find at all by his decease;
Nor need she to attenuate the aire,
And spreading it, his vacancy repaire,
The swellings that in hearts and eyes arise
Repay with ample bulk deaths robberies.

Why should we then weep for a thing so slight
Converting lifes short day to a long night?
For sorrowes make one Moneth seem many yeares,
Times multiplying glasse is made of teares.
Our life is but a painted perspective;
Greif the false light that doth the distance give;
Nor doth it with delight (as shaddowing)
Set off, but as a staffe fixt in a spring
Seem crookt and larger; then dry up thy teares,
Since through a double mean nought right appeares.