ITEM

Horace Walpole reports

That Lady Mary Palk

Has died in childbed.

He didn't know her

And isn't sure Mary Berry,

To whom he's writing

On 7 March 1791

Knew her either.

She was 23 

Says a footnote 

And was the 1st dau.

Of the 3rd E. of Darnley.

Her baby -- Robert --

Survived a few days.

If her ghost has become 

A power in the other world 

Knowing this may serve you well.

If not, you might do worse 

Than to think of her

For so long as it takes 

To read 99 words

And some stray bits 

Of punctuation.