And troubles that were each a step to Heaven :
Two Babes were laid in earth before she died;
A third now slumbers at the Mother's side; 10
Its Sister-twin survives, whose smiles afford
A trembling solace to her widowed Lord.

Reader! if to thy bosom cling the pain Of recent sorrow combated in vain; Or if thy cherished grief have failed to thwart Time still intent on his insidious part, Lulling the mourner's best good thoughts asleep,

16

Pilfering regrets we would, but cannot, keep; Bear with Him-judge Him gently who makes known

His bitter loss by this memorial Stone;
And pray that in his faithful breast the grace
Of resignation find a hallowed place.

1835. (?)

20

II.

Six months to six years added he remained
Upon this sinful earth, by sin unstained :
O blessed Lord! whose mercy then removed
A Child whom every eye that looked on loved;
Support us, teach us calmly to resign
What we possessed, and now is wholly thine!
1812. (?)

EPITAPHS AND ELEGIAC PIECES.

137

III.

CENOTAPH.

In affectionate remembrance of Frances Fermor, whose remains are deposited in the church of Claines, near Worcester, this stone is erected by her sister, Dame Margaret, wife of Sir George Beaumont, Bart., who, feeling not less than the love of a brother for the deceased, cominends this memorial to the care of his heirs and successors in the possession of this place.

By vain affections unenthralled,
Though resolute when duty called
To meet the world's broad eye,
Pure as the holiest cloistered nun
That ever feared the tempting sun,
Did Fermor live and die.

This Tablet, hallowed by her name,
One heart-relieving tear may claim;
But if the pensive gloom

Of fond regret be still thy choice,
Exalt thy spirit, hear the voice
Of Jesus from her tomb!

5

10

"I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE."

IV.

EPITAPH

IN THE CHAPEL-YARD OF LANGDALE,

WESTMORELAND.

BY playful smiles, (alas! too oft
A sad heart's sunshine) by a soft
And gentle nature, and a free
Yet modest hand of charity,

1824.

138

WORDSWORTH'S POEMS.

Through life was OWEN LLOYD endeared
To young and old; and how revered
Had been that pious spirit, a tide
Of humble mourners testified,

When, after pains dispensed to prove
The measure of God's chastening love,

Here, brought from far, his corse found rest,—
Fulfilment of his own request ;-

Urged less for this Yew's shade, though he
Planted with such fond hope the tree;
Less for the love of stream and rock,
Dear as they were, than that his Flock,
When they no more their Pastor's voice
Could hear to guide them in their choice
Through good and evil, help might have,
Admonished, from his silent grave,
Of righteousness, of sins forgiven,
For peace on earth and bliss in heaven.

1841.

15

20

V.

ADDRESS TO THE SCHOLARS OF THE VILLAGE SCHOOL OF

1798.

I COME, ye little noisy Crew,
Not long your pastime to prevent;
I heard the blessing which to you
Our common Friend and Father sent.
I kissed his cheek before he died;
And when his breath was fled,
I raised, while kneeling by his side,
His hand-it dropped like lead.
Your hands, dear Little-ones, do all
That can be done, will never fall
Like his till they are dead.

5

10

EPITAPHS AND ELEGIAC PIECES.

139

By night or day, blow foul or fair,
Ne'er will the best of all your train
Play with the locks of his white hair,
Or stand between his knees again.

15

Here did he sit confined for hours; But he could see the woods and plains, Could hear the wind and mark the showers Come streaming down the streaming panes. 19 Now stretched beneath his grass-green mound He rests a prisoner of the ground.

He loved the breathing air,

He loved the sun, but if it rise
Or set, to him where now he lies,
Brings not a moment's care.

25

Alas! what idle words; but take

The Dirge which for our Master's sake
And yours, love prompted me to make.
The rhymes so homely in attire
With learned ears may ill agree,
But chanted by your Orphan Quire
Will make a touching melody.

DIRGE.

Mourn, Shepherd, near thy old grey stone;

Thou Angler, by the silent flood;

30

And mourn when thou art all alone,

35

Thou Woodman, in the distant wood!

Thou one blind Sailor, rich in joy
Though blind, thy tunes in sadness hum;
And mourn, thou poor half-witted Boy!
Born deaf, and living deaf and dumb.

40

Thou drooping sick Man, bless the Guide
Who checked or turned thy headstrong youth,
As he before had sanctified

Thy infancy with heavenly truth.

Ye Striplings, light of heart and gay,
Bold settlers on some foreign shore,

45

Give, when your thoughts are turned this way, A sigh to him whom we deplore.

For us who here in funeral strain
With one accord our voices raise,
Let sorrow overcharged with pain
Be lost in thankfulness and praise.

50

And when our hearts shall feel a sting
From ill we meet or good we miss,

May touches of his memory bring
Fond healing, like a mother's kiss.

55

BY THE SIDE OF THE GRAVE SOME YEARS AFTER,

LONG time his pulse hath ceased to beat;
But benefits, his gift, we trace-

Expressed in every eye we meet

Round this dear Vale, his native place.

To stately Hall and Cottage rude

Flowed from his life what still they hold,
Light pleasures, every day renewed ;
And blessings half a century old.

Oh true of heart, of spirit gay,
Thy faults, where not already gone
From memory, prolong their stay
For charity's sweet sake alone.

Such solace find we for our loss;
And what beyond this thought we crave
Comes in the promise from the Cross,

Shining upon thy happy grave.'

1

60

65

70

1 See upon the subject of the three foregoing pieces the Fountain, etc., etc., in the fourth volume of the Author's Poems.