Robert Herrick. Upon a Lady That Died in Child-Bed, And Left a Daughter Behind Her.

UPON A LADY THAT DIED IN CHILD-BED, AND
LEFT A DAUGHTER BEHIND HER.
by Robert Herrick

AS gilliflowers do but stay
To blow, and seed, and so away ;
So you, sweet lady, sweet as May,
The garden's glory, lived a while
To lend the world your scent and smile.
But when your own fair print was set
Once in a virgin flosculet,
Sweet as yourself, and newly blown,
To give that life, resigned your own :
But so as still the mother's power
Lives in the pretty lady-flower.

Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol I.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 156-157.

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