And all the fields do wail their widow state,

Sith death their fairest flower did late deface.

The fairest flower in field that ever grew,

Was Astrophel; that was, we all may rue.

"What cruel hand of cursed foe unknown,

Hath cropt the stalk that bore so fair a flower?

Untimely cropt, before it well were grown,

And clean defaced in untimely hour.

Great loss to all that ever him did see;

Great loss to all, but greatest loss to me!