On+My+First+Son

**by Ben Jonson, (1572-1637)**
Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy; My sin was too much hope of thee, lov'd boy. Seven years thou wert lent to me, and I thee pay. Exacted by the fate, on the just day. Oh, could I lose all father now! For why Will man lament the state he should envy? To have so soon 'scaped world's and flesh's rage, And, if no other misery, yet age? Rest in soft peace, and asked, say here doth lie Ben Jonson his best piece of poetry; For whose sake, henceforth, all his vows be such, As what he loves may never like too much.