Epitaph from the Tombstone of Rebecca Henriquez da Costa
Rebecca Henriquez da Costa
1771
On the day of my abundant joy
illness suddenly overcame me
Birth pangs and rupture
overwhelmed me
I gave birth and died, like a blossom
I turned away
And the fruit of my womb was
brought with me to the grave
Woe alongside joy, birth pangs
alongside song was what I brought
My kin mourned for me, as did all passers-by
You who pass by, if you have a…
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