Epitaph on a younge Gentlewoma[n] / M^ris A Va: deceased (Add. MS. 11743, British Library)

Transcription

Oh what Affront was itt to Nature,
And sadder Influence of the Skyes,
That in a Moment clos'd the Eyes
Of such a matchless Peirless Creature,
But askinge what might be the Reason
That Crewell fate soe out of season
Had carry'd her from vs soe farre
His Answer was to mee return'd
Least that the Earth should haue bene Burn'd
By th' scorchinge Beames of y^t bright Starre

TF

Modernized Text

Oh what affront was it to nature,
And sadder influence of the skies,
That in a moment closed the eyes
Of such a matchless, peerless creature?
But asking what might be the reason
That cruel fate soe out of season
Had carried her from us so far,
His answer was to me returned:
'Lest that the earth should have been burned
By the scorching beams of that bright star.'

TF