"Underneath this marble (sable) hearse," &c.
intended, as all know, for an epitaph on Mary Sidney, afterwards Countess of Pembroke, but not inscribed upon any monumental stone? They are almost universally attributed to Ben Jonson, and are included amongst his poems. But this is not conclusive evidence, as we also there find the epitaph on Drayton, which was written by Quarles. In Aubrey's MS. Memoires of Naturall Remarques in Wilts, these verses are said to have been "made by Mr. Williā. Browne, who wrote the Pastoralls, and they are inserted there." Mr. Britton, in his Life of Aubrey (p. 96.), adds:
"It is essential to observe, that Aubrey is not alone in stating them to be by Browne; for, in his note upon the subject, he left a blank for the latter's Christian name, 'William,' which was filled up by Evelyn when he perused the manuscript. Indeed, Evelyn added as a further note, 'William, Governor to the now Earl of Oxford.'"
But these lines are not to be found in Browne's Pastorals. In book ii., song 4., there is an epitaph, but which bears little resemblance to the one in question. It concludes with the following conceit:
"If to the grave there ever was assign'd
One like this nymph in body and in minde,
We wish here in balme, not vainely spent,
To fit this maiden with a monument,
For brass, and marble, were they seated here,
Would fret, or melt in tears, to lye so near."