To King Charles and Queen Mary, for the Loss of Their First-born

By Ben Jonson (1572–1637)

(Died May 13, 1629)

An Epigram Consolatory

WHO dares deny, that all first-fruits are due

To God, denies the Godhead to be true:

Who doubts those fruits God can with gain restore,

Doth by his doubt distrust his promise more.

He can, He will, and with large interest, pay

What, at his liking. He will take away.

Then, royal Charles and Mary, do not grutch

That the Almighty’s will to you is such;

But thank His greatness and His goodness too;

And think all still the best that He will do.

That thought shall make, He will this loss supply

With a long, large and blest posterity:

For God, whose essence is so infinite,

Cannot but heap that grace He will requite.