My thoughts and prayers are with David and Samantha Cameron after the tragic death of Ivan.

I often find solace in poetry. This poem, written by Ben Jonson in 1603 following the death of his first son at age seven, is a poignant reflection on a loss that we all hope we never experience.

On My First Sonne by: Ben Jonson (1572-1637)

Farewell, thou child of my right hand, and joy,

My sin was too much hope of thee, loved boy;

Seven years th’ wert lent to me, and I thee pay,

Exacted by thy fate, on the just day.

O, 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.