TRIUMPHS OVER DEATH;

OR,

A consolatory Epistle for afflicted Minds,

IN THE

AFFECTS OF DYING FRIENDS.

FIRST WRITTEN FOR THE CONSOLATION OF ONE;

BUT

NOW PUBLISHED FOR THE GENERAL GOOD OF ALL,

BY R. S.

THE AUTHOR of S. PETER'S COMPLAINT, AND MOONIE HIS OTHER HYMNS.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY VALENTINE SIMMES, FOR JOHN BUSBIE;

AND ARE TO BE SOLD AT NICHOLAS LING'S SHOP, AT THE WEST END OF PAUL'S CHURCII.

1596.

TO THE

WORSHIPFUL M. RICHARD SACKVILE,

EDWARD SACKVILE, CICILIA SACKVILE, AND ANNE SACKVILE,

The hopeful Issues of the Hon. Gentleman, Master Robert Sackvile, Esq.

Most lines do not the best conceit contain ;

Few words, well couch'd, may comprehend much matter :

Then, as to use the first is counted vain,

So is't praise-worthy to conceit the latter;

The gravest wits that most grave works expect,
The quality, not quantity respect.

The smallest spark will cast a burning heat;
Base cottages may harbour things of worth:
Then though this volume be, nor gay, nor great,
Which under your protection I set forth,

Do not with coy disdainful oversight

Deny to read this well-meant orphan's mite.

And since his father in his infancy
Provided patrons to protect his heir ;
But now by Death's none-sparing cruelty
Is turn'd an orphan to the open air;

I, his unworthy foster-sire, have dar'd
To make you patronizer of this ward.

You glorying issues of that glorious dame, Whose life is made the subject of death's will, you succeeding hopes of mother's fame,

To

I dedicate this fruit of Southwell's quill:
He, for your uncle's comfort, first it writ,
I, for your consolation, print and send you

Then deign in kindness to accept the work,

Which he in kindness writ, I send to you, The which till now clouded, obscure did lurk: But now opposed to each reader's view,

it.

May yield commodious fruit to every wight,.
That feels his conscience prick'd by Parca's spight.

But if in aught I have presumptuous been,

My pardon-craving pen implores your favour;

If any fault in print be past unseen,

To let it pass the printer is the craver:

So shall he thank you; and I, by duty bound,
Pray that in you may all good gifts abound.

Your worships' humbly devoted,

JOHN TRUSSELL.

R READ with regard, what here with due regard,
O Our second Ciceronian Southwell sent;

B

By whose persuasive pithy argument, E Each well-disposed eye may be prepar'd,

R

T

S

0

U

Respectively their grief for friends' decease
To moderate without all vain excess.

Sith then the work is worthy of your view,
Obtract not him which for your good it penn'd:
Unkind you are if you it reprehend,

T That for your profit it presented you:

H

E

E

He penn'd, I publish this to pleasure all ;
Esteem of both, then, as we merit shall.

W Weigh his work's worth, accept of my good will,
Else is his labour lost, mine crost, both to no end:
L Lest then you ill deserve what both intend,
L Let my goodwill and small defects fulfil.
He here his talent trebled doth present,
I, my poor mite, yet both with good intent:
Then take them kindly both, as we them meant.

JOHN TRUSSELL.