ON MY FIRST DAUGHTER

HERE lies, to each her parents’ ruth,

Mary, the daughter of their youth;

Yet, all heaven’s gifts, being heaven’s due,

It makes the father less to rue.

At six months’ end, she parted hence,

With safety of her innocence;

Whose soul heaven’s queen, whose name she bears,

In comfort of her mother’s tears,

Hath placed amongst her virgin-train;

Where, while that severed doth remain,

This grave partakes the fleshly birth;

Which cover lightly, gentle earth!