Before the Birth of One of Her Children

1All things within this fading world hath end,

2Adversity doth still our joys attend;

3No ties so strong, no friends so dear and sweet,

4But with death's parting blow are sure to meet.

5The sentence past is most irrevocable,

6A common thing, yet oh, inevitable.

7How soon, my Dear, death may my steps attend,

8How soon't may be thy lot to lose thy friend,

9We both are ignorant, yet love bids me

10These farewell lines to recommend to thee,

11That when the knot's untied that made us one,

12I may seem thine, who in effect am none.

13And if I see not half my days that's due,

14What nature would, God grant to yours and you;

15The many faults that well you know I have

16Let be interred in my oblivious grave;

17If any worth or virtue were in me,

18Let that live freshly in thy memory

19And when thou feel'st no grief, as I no harmes,

20Yet love thy dead, who long lay in thine arms,

21And when thy loss shall be repaid with gains

22Look to my little babes, my dear remains.

23And if thou love thyself, or loved'st me,

24These O protect from stepdame's injury.

25And if chance to thine eyes shall bring this verse,

26With some sad sighs honor my absent hearse;

27And kiss this paper for thy dear love's sake,

28Who with salt tears this last farewell did take.