Richard Lovelace

“ III. Dare to affect a serious holy sorrow, To which delights of pallaces are narrow, And, lasting as their smiles, dig you a roome, Where practise the probation of your tombe With ever-bended knees and piercing pray'r, Smooth the rough passe through craggy earth to ay'r ; Flame there as lights that shipwrackt mariners May put in safely, and secure their feares, Who, adding to your joyes, now owe you theirs. ”

“ If not to dye, dare but to live like her : Dare to live virgins, till the honour'd age Of thrice fifteen cals matrons on the stage, Whilst not a blemish or least staine is scene On your white roabe 'twixt fifty and fifteene ”

“ Enter the dismall chancell of this roome, Where each pale guest stands fixt a living tombe ; With trembling hands helpe to remove this earth To its last death and first victorious birth : Let gums and incense fume, who are at strife To enter th' hearse and breath in it new life ; Mingle your steppes with flowers as you goe, Which, as they haste to fade, will speake your woe. ”