To My Husband

WHEN from the world I shall be ta’en,

And from earth’s necessary pain,

Then let no blacks be worn for me,

Not in a ring, my dear, by thee.

But this bright diamond, let it be

Worn in rememberance of me.

And when it sparkles in your eye,

Think ’tis my shadow passeth by.

For why, more bright you shall me see,

Than that or any gem can be.

Dress not the house with sable weed,

As if there were some dismal deed

Acted to be when I am gone,

There is no cause for me to mourn.

And let no badge of herald be

The sign of my antiquity.

It was my glory I did spring

From heaven’s eternal powerful King:

To his bright palace heir am I,

It is his promise, he’ll not lie.

By my dear brother pray lay me,

It was a promise made by thee,

And now I must bid thee adieu,

For I’m a parting now from you.