When I dyed last, and, Deare, I dye
As often as from thee I goe,
Though it be but an houre agoe,
And Lovers houres be full eternity,
I can remember yet, that I
Something did say, and something did bestow;
Though I be dead, which sent mee, I should be
Mine owne executor and Legacie.
I heard mee say, Tell her anon,
That my selfe, (that is you, not I,)
Did kill me, and when I felt mee dye,
I bid mee send my heart, when I was gone,
But I alas could there finde none,
When I had ripp'd me,'and search'd where hearts did lye;
It kill'd mee againe, that I who still was true,
In life, in my last Will should cozen you.
Yet I found something like a heart,
But colours it, and corners had,
It was not good, it was not bad,
It was intire to none, and few had part.
As good as could be made by art
It seem'd; and therefore for our losses sad,
I meant to send this heart in stead of mine,
But oh, no man could hold it, for twas thine.
[The Legacie. 1633-69: Legacie. L74: Song. or no title,
A25, B, Cy, D, H40, H49, Lec, O'F, P, S,
S96: Elegie. A18, N, TCC, TCD]
[1 When I dyed last,] When last I dyed, 1669]
[1-4 (and deare ... eternity) Grolier.]
[7 sent 1633, 1669: meant 1635-54
should be] might be 1669]
[10 that is 1635-69: that's 1633: brackets from A18,
N, TC]
[13 none, 1633-69: none. Chambers and Grolier]
[14 When ... did 1633, A25 (doe), D, H40, H49,
Lec, S, S96: When I had ripp'd, and search'd where
hearts should 1635-69, A18, L74, N, TC lye; Ed:
lye, 1633-69, Chambers and Grolier. See note]
[18 But] For 1650-69]
[20 part. 1633-39: part: 1650-69]
[22 seem'd; Ed: seem'd, 1633-69, Grolier, and Chambers
our losses sad, 1633-54, A18, A25, L74, N, O'F,
P, S96, TC: our loss be sad, 1669: our loss be ye
sad. B, Cy, D, H40, H49, Lec, S: our losses sad;
Grolier: our loss be sad. Chambers]
[23 meant] thought A18, L74, N, O'F, TC
this 1633: that 1635-69]