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POEMS. 179
VIII.
AN EPITAPH
ON THE
MARCHIONESS OP WINCHESTER*
This rich marble doth enter
The honour'd wife of Winchefter,
A vifcount's daughter, an earl's heir,
Befides what her virtues fair
Added to her noble birth,
More than fhe could own from earth.
Summers three times eight lave one
She had told; alas too foon,
After fo fhort time of breath,
To houfe with darknefs, and with death.
Yet had the number of her days
Been as complete as was her praife,
Nature and fate had had no ftrife
In giving limit to her life.
Her high birth, and her graces fweet
Quickly found a lover meet 3
,The virgin quire for her requeft
The god that fits at marriage feafl ;
He at their invoking came
But with a fcarce well-lighted flame;
And in his garland as he flood,
Ye might difcern a cyprefs bud.
Once had the early matrons run
To greet her of a lovely fon,
And now with fecond hope fhe goes,
And calls Lucina to her throes}