"And for the fault which I have done,
Though I was forc'd theretoe,
Preserve my life, and punish mee
As you thinke meet to doe."
And with these words, her lillie handes
She wrunge full often there;
And downe along her lovely face
Did trickle many a teare.
But nothing could this furious queene
Therewith appeased bee;
The cup of deadlye poyson stronge,
As she knelt on her knee,
Shee gave this comelye dame to drinke;
Who tooke it in her hand,
And from her bended knee arose,
And on her feet did stand:
And casting up her eyes to heaven,
Shee did for mercye calle;
And drinking up the poison stronge,
Her life she lost withalle.
And when that death through everye limbe
Had showde its greatest spite,
Her chiefest foes did plaine confesse
Shee was a glorious wight.
Her body then they did entomb,
When life was fled away,
At Godstowe, neare to Oxford towne,
As may be seene this day.
NOTES
- Consisting of vaults under ground, arched and walled with brick and stone,
according to Drayton. See note on hisEpistle of Rosamond. - Tho. Allen, of Gloc. Hall, Oxon. who died in 1632, aged 90. See Hearne's rambling
discourse concerning Rosamond, at the end ofGul. Neubrig. Hist. vol. iii. p. 739. - Vide Reign of Henry II. in Speed's History, writ by Dr. Barcham, Dean of Bocking
- This would have passed for miraculous, if it had happened in the tomb of any
clerical person, and a proof of his being a saint. - Afterwards Archbishop of York, temp. Rich. I.