A child of Queen Elizabeth's Chapel 
Epitaphs: ii 

WEEP with me, all you that read 
   This little story; 
And know, for whom a tear you shed 
   Death's self is sorry. 
'Twas a child that so did thrive 
   In grace and feature, 
As Heaven and Nature seem'd to strive 
   Which own'd the creature. 
Years he number'd scarce thirteen 
   When Fates turn'd cruel, 
Yet three fill'd zodiacs had he been 
   The stage's jewel; 
And did act (what now we moan) 
   Old men so duly, 
As sooth the Parcae thought him one, 
   He play'd so truly. 
So, by error, to his fate 
   They all consented; 
But, viewing him since, alas, too late! 
   They have repented; 
And have sought, to give new birth, 
   In baths to steep him; 
But, being so much too good for earth, 
   Heaven vows to keep him.