POEMS; sie 471 An Epitaph on the MARCHIONESS of Wincheftere_, H I S rich marble doth inter The honor'd wife of Winchefter, A Vicount's daughter, an Earl's heir, Befides what her virtues fair Added to her noble birth, 5 More than the could own from earth. Summers three times eight Pave one She had told ; alas too foon, After fo thort time of breath, To houfe with darknefs, and with death. Yet had the number of her days Been as complete as was her praife, Nature and fate had had no ftrife In giving limit to her life. Her high birth, and her graces fweet Qickly found a lover meet ; The virgin quire for her requeft The God that fits at marriage feaft ; He at her invoking came But with a fcarce well-lighted flame; 20 And in his garland as he flood, Ye might difcern a cyprefs bud. Once had the early matrons run To greet her of a lovely fon, And now with fecond hope the goes, 25 And calls Lucina to her throws ; But whether by mifchance or blame Atropos for Lucina came And with remorfelefs cruelty Spoil'd at once both fruit and tree : so The haplefs babe before his birth Had burial, yet not laid in earth, And
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