_Epitaph by Wordsworth._--There is a beautiful epitaph by Wordsworth in
Sprawley Church, Worcestershire, to the wife of G. C. Vernon, Esq., of
Hanbury. Wordsworth has made the following slight alterations to it, in
his published poems: I quote from the one-volume 8vo. edition of Moxon
(1845). The first two lines are not on the tablet. The words within
brackets are those which appear in the original epitaph:--
"_By a blest husband guided, Mary came_
_From nearest kindred_, Vernon _her new name_;
She came, though meek of soul, in seemly pride
Of happiness and hope, a youthful bride.
O dread reverse! if aught _be_ so which proves
That GOD will chasten whom he dearly loves,
Faith bore her up through pains in mercy given,
And troubles _that_ [which] were each a step to Heaven.
Two babes were laid in earth before she died;
A third now slumbers at the mother's side;
Its sister-twin survives, whose smiles _afford_ [impart]
A trembling solace to _her widow'd lord_ [her father's heart.]
Reader! if to thy bosom cling the pain
Of recent sorrow combated in vain;
Or if thy cherish'd grief have fail'd to thwart
Time, still intent on his insidious part,
Lulling the mourner's best good thoughts asleep,
Pilfering regrets we would, but cannot, keep;
Bear with _him_ [those]--judge _him_ [those] gently who _makes_
[make] known
_His_ [their] bitter loss by _this memorial_ [monumental] stone;
And pray that in _his_ [their] faithful breast the grace
Of resignation find a hallow'd place."