Who ever comes to shroud me, do not harme
Nor question much
That subtile wreath of haire, which crowns my arme;
The mystery, the signe you must not touch,
For 'tis my outward Soule,
Viceroy to that, which then to heaven being gone,
Will leave this to controule,
And keepe these limbes, her Provinces, from dissolution.
For if the sinewie thread my braine lets fall
Through every part,
Can tye those parts, and make mee one of all;
These haires which upward grew, and strength and art
Have from a better braine,
Can better do'it; Except she meant that I
By this should know my pain,
As prisoners then are manacled, when they'are condemn'd to die.
What ere shee meant by'it, bury it with me,
For since I am
Loves martyr, it might breed idolatrie,
If into others hands these Reliques came;
As'twas humility
To afford to it all that a Soule can doe,
So,'tis some bravery,
That since you would save none of mee, I bury some of you.
[The Funerall. 1633-69, A18, B, Cy, D, H49, L74,
Lec, N, O'F, P, S, S96, TCC, TCD]
[3 which ... arme;] about mine arm; 1669]
[6 then to A18, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, Lec, N,
O'F, P, S, S96, TC: unto 1633-69]
[12 These A18, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, N, S (The),
S96, TC: Those 1633-69, Lec, O'F grew, 1633-39:
grow, 1650-69]
[16 condemn'd] condem'nd 1633]
[17 with me, 1635-69 and MSS.: by me, 1633]
[24 save A18, B, Cy, D, H49, L74, N, P, TC:
have 1633-69, Lec, O'F, S96: om. S]