A web-based edition of early seventeenth-century political poetry from manuscript sources. It brings into the public domain over 350 poems, many of which have never before been published.

Oiii7  If heav’n rejoyce, when men leave off to sinne


Notes. This poem was not necessarily written on the occasion of John Lambe’s murder, since in some sources it is untitled, and so might easily be applied to another person (e.g. BL MS Sloane 1489). It is therefore possible that a traditional satiric epitaph was appropriated, by at least one scribe, for the specific purpose of attacking Lambe.


“On Dr Lambe”

If heav’n rejoyce, when men leave off to sinne;

If hell rejoyce, when it a soule doth winne;

If earth rejoice, when it doth loose a knave;

Then all rejoyce, now thou art in thy grave.



Source. BL Add. MS 44963, fol. 38r

Other known sources. BL MS Sloane 1489, fol. 10v; Folger MS E.a.6, fol. 3r; Folger MS V.a.160, p. 63; Folger MS V.a.180, fol. 79r; Folger MS V.a.275, p. 177; Folger MS V.a.319, fol. 4v

Oiii7