Death & Dying

An Epitaph on Henry the Fourth, the Last French King

by Anonymous (Elizabethan miscellanies) c. 1575–1602

From A Poetical Rhapsody (1602), ed. A. H. Bullen (1890–91)

Death & Dying

That we should more bewail the hap of kings,
Great Henry Bourbon's death occasion brings:
To Henry Valois next crowned king of France,
Next both in blood, in name, in reign, in chance.
Perils, his youth; wars, did his manhood spend,
His old age, peace, till murder his life did end:
His conquests, glory; his wisdom, peace did win,
His faith, Heaven; Christ, pardon for his sin.

✦ ✦ ✦

By Charles Best, who added poems to the third edition (1611).

MLA

Anonymous (Elizabethan miscellanies). “An Epitaph on Henry the Fourth, the Last French King.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-elizabethan-miscellanies/130/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Elizabethan miscellanies). “An Epitaph on Henry the Fourth, the Last French King.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-elizabethan-miscellanies/130/.

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