Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

EPITAPH ON ELIZABETH, L.H. by BEN JONSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: WOULDST THOU HEAR WHAT MAN CAN SAY
Last Line: THAN THAT IT LIVED AT ALL. FAREWELL.
Subject(s): COKE, SIR EDWARD (1552-1634); DEATH; HATTON, LADY ELIZABETH (MRS EDWARD COKE); DEAD, THE;
Wouldst thou hear what man can say
In a little? Reader, stay.

Underneath this stone doth lie
As much beauty as could die;
Which in life did harbor give
To more virtue than doth live.
If at all she had a fault,
Leave it buried in this vault.
One name was Elizabeth;
Th' other, let it sleep with death:
Fitter, where it died, to tell,
Than that it lived at all. Farewell.


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