The fairest thing in mortal eyes by Charles, Duke of Orléans

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Translated by Henry Francis Cary.

Addressed to his deceased wife, who died in childbed at the age of twenty-two

Part 1 of 3.

TO make my lady’s obsequies
My love a minster wrought,
And, in the chantry, service there
Was sung by doleful thought;
The tapers were of burning sighs,
That light and odor gave:
And sorrows, painted o’er with tears,
Enluminèd her grave;

And round about, in quaintest guise,
Was carved: “Within this tomb there lies
The fairest thing in mortal eyes.”