Epitaph on SP, a Child of Queen Elizabeth's Chapel

Weep with me, all you that read

   This little story;

And know for whom a tear you shed,

   Death's self is sorry.

'Twas a child that so did thrive

   In grace and feature,

As Heaven and Nature seemed to strive

   Which owned the creature.

Years he numbered scarce thirteen

   When Fates turned cruel,

Yet three filled zodiacs had he been

   The stage's jewel;

And did act (what now we moan)

   Old men so duly,

As, sooth, the Parcae thought him one,

   He played so truly.

So, by error, to his fate

   They all consented;

But viewing him since (alas, too late),

   They have repented,

And have sought (to give new birth)

   In baths to steep him;

But, being so much too good for earth,

   Heaven vows to keep him.

Contextual Notes':Title - 'S.P.' - Solomon Pavy, a child actor in the troupe known as the Children of Queen Elizabeth's Chapel, who had appeared in several of Jonson's plays.L11 - 'three filled zodiacs' - three seasons, i.e., he had been on the stage for three seasons.L14 - 'duly' - aptlyL15 - 'the Parcae' - the Fates