Imperial eagle! still with glance intent,
Thy necks outstretched, and poising wings as yet,
Claiming to rule o'er each vast continent,
With feet upon their gateways firmly set;
An empire's diadem hangs o'er thy brows,
Yet rests on neither;--as if glory's aim
Waited on fortune to inspire her vows,
And ratify ambition's lofty claim;--
But she smiled not,--death put the chaplet on
Life's brave endeavour, and a hero's fate
Awarded thee instead of victory won,
The martyrs' halo, for the crown of state:
When sank the Cross blood-stained in western sky,
And in the east the Crescent flared on high.
Theodoro Paleologus appears to have married before coming to England,
Eudoxia Comnena, and by her had a daughter called Theodora, born at
Scio 6 July, 1594, and who was married 10 Oct., 1614, to Prince
Demetrius Rhodocanakis, at the Greek church of SS. Peter and Paul,
Naples. But he must have settled in England before 1600, for in that
year, on May 1st, he wedded secondly at Cottingham, in the county of
York, Mary, the daughter of William Balls of Hadleigh in Suffolk,
gent. He appears to have sought public employment, military or civil,
for among the _State Papers, Domestic_, Charles I., there is a letter
from him to the Duke of Buckingham, dated Plymouth, 9 March, 1627-8,
in which he thanks the Duke for the courtesy shewn him at Plymouth,
and prays to be taken into his service. He further states that he is a
gentleman, born of a good house, and in possession of accomplishments
worthy of the name he bears, but unfortunate in the reverse of fortune
experienced by his ancestors and himself; and that he has lived and
shed his blood in war even from his youth, as the late Prince of
Orange, and other noblemen, both English and French, have testified.
He concludes by proffering himself both faithful and competent to
serve the king, and ready to shew gratitude to the duke.[48] This was
only eight years before his death, and when he was probably verging on
old age.
[48] _Monumental Brasses of Cornwall_, by E. H. W. Dunkin.
Inheriting the military aptitude of their race, Theodoro, his eldest
son, entered the service of the Parliament, as lieutenant in the
regiment commanded by Lord St. John, in the army of the Earl of Essex.
He was buried 3 May, 1644, in Westminster Abbey, and according to the
Register of that edifice, "near the Lady St. John's tomb." But of the
Lady St. John's monument, Dean Stanley says, "once in St. Michael's,
now in St. Nicholas's Chapel,"--and further,--"in the Chapel of St.
Andrew, close to the spot where now is the Nightingale monument, lies
Theodore Paleologus."
Ferdinando chose the side of the King, and fought under Major Lower
(probably a member of the Lower family of Clifton) at Naseby, 18 June,
1645, when Lower was killed, and it is supposed John Paleologus fell
by his side. Ferdinando afterward emigrated to Barbados, where his
maternal grandfather had an estate, and there he became proprietor of
a plantation in the parish of St. John, and was for twenty years,
1649-69, surveyor of highways. He made his will in 1670, gives "_to my
loving wife, Rebecca Paleologus, the one half of my plantation, and to
my son Theodorus the other moiety_," to his sisters, "_Mary Paleologus
and Dorothy Arundel each twenty shillings sterling_." He also names
legacies of horses to Edward and Henry Walrond,--a Devonshire name, a
Humphrey Walrond (query, of the Farringdon descent), being President
of the island in 1660. He died about 1680, and was buried in the
church of St. John's. Theodorus his son was a mariner on board the
ship _Charles II._, and died at sea in 1693.[49]
[49] Archer's _Monumental Inscriptions of the British West Indies_.
"The Greeks," says Dean Stanley, "in their War of Independence, sent
to enquire whether any of the family remained, and offered, if such
were the case, to equip a ship and proclaim him for their lawful
sovereign. It is said that a member of the family still remains." This
would relate to the descendants of Ferdinando. How strange would have
been the circumstance had such an undoubted descendant been
discovered, and the imperial eagle again arisen like a phoenix from
the ashes of time, and strove to consolidate the shifting fortunes of
this heroic and struggling people.
Maria, the elder daughter mentioned on the monument, died unmarried in
1674. Dorothy her sister became the wife of William Arundell of St.
Mellion in 1657, and deceased in 1681.
Theodoro Paleologus, as the inscription informs us, died at Clifton,
an old manor house in Landulph. This was originally the seat of a
younger branch of the Arundells of Trerice, and built by Thomas
Arundell (son of Sir Thomas Arundell by Anne Moyle) about the year
1500. From the Arundells it passed to the Killigrews, and successively
to Sir Nicholas Lower and Sir Reginald Mohun, who married the
daughters of Sir Henry Killigrew. Lysons describes it in his time as
still existing,--"with its halls, chapel, &c., but much dilapidated,
and then occupied as a farm house." It has since been wholly pulled
down and rebuilt as a modern farm residence.
At the date of Paleologus' decease, Clifton was evidently in the
occupation of Sir Nicholas Lower, and it is probable the imperial
refugee, with such of his family as remained with him, found a home
under the roof-tree of the knight. Great friendship apparently existed
between the Lowers and the Paleologi, as in his will Sir Nicholas
orders "_Item, I doe give unto Mrs. Maria Paleologus tenne pounds to
be paied unto her within one quarter of a yeare after my
decease_,"--this was the eldest daughter; two of his sons fought under
Major Lower, and the father was buried in the Clifton aisle, and close
by him the testator was himself afterward laid.
Sir Nicholas Lower was a descendant of an old Cornish family, being
the third son of Thomas Lower of St. Winnow by his wife Jane Reskymer;
was knighted by Charles I., 1 June, 1619, and became Sheriff of
Cornwall in 1632. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Henry
Killigrew, being her third husband, she having previously wedded Sir
Jonathan Trelawney, of Pool in Menheniot in 1604, and Sir Thomas
Reynell of East Ogwell, 1607.
Sir Nicholas, and his wife Elizabeth Killigrew, are both interred
under a large high-tomb at the east end of the Clifton aisle of
Landulph church. On the cover-stone, which is of black marble, and
very massive, are the following inscriptions:--
HEERE LYES BVRIED THE BODYES
OF SIR NICHOLAS LOWER OF CLIFTON IN LANDVLPH
IN CORNEWALL KNIGHT
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE
XVII DAYE OF MAY. 1655.
And of Dame Elizabeth his wife
who departed this Life
the vi day of June 1638 aged 68 yeares
and heere Expect a glorious Resurrection.
Arms,--_A chevron between three roses, on the chevron a mullet for
difference_ (LOWER), impaling,--_a double-headed eagle displayed
within a bordure bezantee_ (KILLIGREW). Crest,--_An unicorn's head
couped, thereon a mullet_.
In the east window of the aisle, above the tomb, are the arms of Lower
alone, in painted glass,--_Sable, a chevron between three roses
argent_, with two crests, one LOWER, and the second, _a wolf passant
azure, langued and armed gules_ (RESKYMER?).
[Illustration: PART OF THE LOWER SEATS, LANDULPH CHURCH.]
On the wall over the south Lower seat, are these further inscriptions
on brasses,--
HERE LYETH BVRIED YE BODY OF SIR NICHOLAS LOWER OF CLIFTON
KNIGHT, (DESCENDED OF THE HOVSE OF ST. WINOWE) THE SONNE OF
THOMAS LOWER AND JANE HIS WIFE, ONE OF THE CO-HEYRES OF RESKYMER;
WHO HAD ISSVE SIX SONNES, VIZ: SIR WILLIAM LOWER KNIGHT DECEASED
IN CARMARTHENSHIRE, JOHN LOWER, THE SAID SR NICHOLAS LOWER, SIR
FRANCIS LOWER KNIGHT, THOMAS LOWER DECEASED IN LONDON, AND
ALEXANDER LOWER. HE MARRIED WITH ELIZABETH, ONE OF THE DAVGHTERS
OF SR HENRY KILLEGRVE OF LONDON KNIGHT, DIED WITHOVT ISSVE,
SVRRENDRINGE HIS SOVLE TO HIS REDEEMER AT CLIFTON, YE 17TH OF
MAYE, ANNO DOMINI 1655.
and to his much-married spouse, who pre-deceased him nearly twenty
years, the following quaint tribute to her memory:--
HEERE LYETH BVRIED THE BODY OF DAME ELIZABETH LOWER LATE WIFE
VNTO SIR NICHOLAS LOWER OF CLIFTON, KT, DAVGHTER VNTO SR HENRY
KILLIGREWE OF LONDON, KT, ANTIENTLY DESCENDED FROM YE HOVSE OF
ARWENNICK IN CORNWALL, AND FROM YE YOVNGEST OF YE LEARNED
DAVGHTERS OF SR ANTHONY COOKE, KT, A MAIDE OF HONOVR TO QVEENE
ELIZABETH; WHO FOR TREW VERTVE, PIETY, AND LEARNING, CAME NOTHING
SHORT (THAT I MAY MODESTLY SPEAKE) OF ANY OF HER ANCESTORS, AND
FOR HER SINGVLAR COVRTESIE TO ALL, AND AMIABLE SVBIECTION TO HER
HVSBAND (A VERTVE RARE AND HIGH) I THINKE CAN HARDLY BE MATCH'D,
WHO DESERVES A FAR AMPLER CHARACTER THEN CAN BE CONTAINED IN SO
NARROW A ROOME: SHE DYED AT CLIFTON IN CORNWALL, THE SIXT DAY OF
JVNE IN THE YEARE OF OVR LORD, 1638, AND EXPECTS HEERE A GLORIOVS
RESVRRECTION.
The two representative "squires' pews" we glanced at on our way down
the aisle, and in which presumably the old knight, his dame, and their
dependants performed their devotions, when they were in the flesh, and
resident at Clifton, accompanied it may be by his imperially descended
friend,--are situate a little above their last resting places. Some of
the middle panels exhibit the linen pattern, a late example of this
last remnant of pointed design. Alternating with these are several
filled with floriated ornament, having in their centres shields,
continued also on the cornice above, displaying the descent and
alliances of Lower.
On the first seat,--1. _A chevron between three roses_ (LOWER). --2.
_Per fess, three pears in base, in chief a demi-lion rampant_
(PERROTT).--3. _Three castles_ (KESTELL).--4. _An annulet surmounted
by a mullet._--5. _Three chevrons ermine_ (ESSE?).--6. _A chevron
engrailed, between three talbots passant_ (CARVETH or TREGASSAWE).--7.
_A chevron between three trefoils, stems erazed._--8. _Two bars, in
chief three roundels._--9. _A fess fretty._--10. _A cross moline_
(UPTON?).--11. _A chevron between three birds._--12. _A chevron
between three boars' heads_.--13. _A chevron between three moors'
heads affrontee, couped at the shoulders_ (TREGENNA?).--14, as 1. On
the second seat,--1. _A double-headed eagle displayed, within a
bordure bezantee_ (KILLIGREW).--2. _Three bars, in chief a wolf
passant_ (RESKYMER).--3. _Three bends_(BODRUGAN).--4. _Three bends
within a bordure bezantee_ (VALLETORT).--5. _A bend, a label of three_
(CARMINOW).--6. _A chevron, a label of three_(PRIDEAUX).--7. _A
crescent surmounted by a mullet_ (DENZELL).--8. _A boar passant,
between three mullets_ (TREVARTHIAN?).--9. _A cross between four
mullets_ (FLAMANK?).--10. _A fess indented, between three
mullets._--11. _A stag's head_ (TRETHURFFE?).--12. _A calf passant_
(CAVELL).--13. LOWER. The crest, _an unicorn's head couped at the
shoulders_, in full relief at the corners, and the initials N.L. and
E.L., together with the date 1631, is carved on the panels. LOWER
impaling KILLIGREW appears also on the brasses. The character of the
carving is superior for the era, and its subjects heraldically
interesting.
A few words further here concerning two immediate descendants of
this,--at the time,--numerous Cornish race, who acquired some renown,
the one in amusing, and the other in preserving this transitory life
of ours. John Lower of Tremeer, brother to Sir Nicholas, had a son Sir
William, a cavalier strongly attached to the royal cause. He was a
dramatist, and retired to Holland during the Commonwealth that he
might enjoy peaceful companionship with the muses. He was a great
admirer of the French poets, particularly Corneille, and on their
works built the plans of four out of the eight plays which he wrote.
He also issued translations from the French, and edited a _Journal_ of
the movements of Charles II. while in exile. He subsequently possessed
Clifton as heir-general of the family, on the decease without issue of
Thomas Lower (the son of Sir William Lower, Sir Nicholas' brother), to
whom Sir Nicholas left it. He died in 1662. Richard Lower, the other
descendant, was a celebrated London physician, and the author among
other works of a "_Treatise on the Heart_," which "attracted much
notice, in consequence of the chapter on the transfusion of blood
which the author had practised." He died in 1690, and was buried at
St. Tudy.
Here we conclude such notices of the lives, deaths, and memorials of
the Paleologi, and their friend the old knight at Clifton and his
family as have been found available. Have you anything further to say
of them, you ask, ere we leave the little sanctuary? What _can_ there
be said further--would be the obvious reply--concerning those whose
lives, deaths, burial-places and memorials, have all been duly noticed
and recorded? Well, for once, not even the fastness of the grave will
be proof against some additional remembrances of the Paleologi.
Man's curiosity is unbounded and insatiable. No place or association
is altogether safe from the intrusion of his prying eyes and
ransacking fingers, if he thinks there is anything likely to be found
therein calculated to gratify its longings, and he gets the chance, or
has permission to make the search. In this particular he follows in
the trail of death as being no respecter of persons, but with this
ignoble difference to the great conqueror, that he waits until the
life is gone before he seeks to assuage his morbid longings by an
invasion of the bodies of his forefathers. It would be supposed the
sanctity of death and the rest of the grave would naturally be
privileged, but no, they have rather stimulated his curiosity, and so
have found little or no consideration in his sight. The
cunningly-embalmed Egyptian potentate in his burial fortress of the
great pyramid,--his humble spice-wound subject in his rock-hewn
sepulchre,--the Roman emperor in his grand mausoleum,--Greek hero in
costly sarcophagus,--British chieftain in flint-piled barrow,--mediaeval
saint in shrine, and king, ecclesiastic or noble in their ponderous
stone coffins,--all have in turn been subjected to this unfeeling
scrutiny, and the poor dust and mouldering bones rummaged over by
irreverent hands, very few indeed escaping violation, sometimes for hope
of plunder, but usually for idle curiosity, and the indulgence of
relic-hunting propensities. And yet, perhaps, there is scarcely anything
the living heart would more shrink from contemplating, than the
possibility of such indignity being offered to the frail decaying
tenement it had beat in, after death; a sentiment shared in common by
the greatest intellects and humblest minds,--but that does not avert the
outrage.[50]
[50] "About a year ago, there was a wonderful discovery of an
antient tomb at Sidon, containing over a dozen sarcophagi. Many
of them are described as being in the finest style of art, and
formed after the Greek manner. Among them was a royal one, and on
it was an inscription of which the following is the
translation:--'_I, Talnite, Priest of Astarte, and King of Sidon,
lying in this tomb, say: 'Come not to open my tomb; there is
neither gold, nor silver, nor treasure. He who will open this
tomb shall have no prosperity under the sun, and shall not find
rest in the grave._' This expresses the old yearning to be at
rest; but the belief in wealth deposited in royal tombs has
always frustrated the realization of these desires. Now-a-days
the archaeologist is the greatest desecrator." (_Daily News_, 4
March, 1888.) The anathema on Shakspeare's gravestone is another
well-known example of this dread.
The ashes of the Paleologi have not escaped this common danger of
being examined, the father's here on this bank of the Tamar, and by
curious coincidence, the son's in the distant island of Barbados, but
no indignity was offered the remains. At Landulph, toward the close of
the last century, "when the vault was accidentally opened, the coffin
of Paleologus was seen, a single oak coffin, and curiosity prompting
to lift the lid, the body of Paleologus was discovered, and in so
perfect a state, as to ascertain him to have been in stature much
above the common height, his countenance of an oval form, much
lengthened, and strongly marked by an aquiline nose, and a very white
beard reaching low on the breast." A physiognomy and stature eminently
representative of his imperial descent, and how remarkably preserved
after the lapse of nearly two centuries. In 1831 a hurricane destroyed
the church of St. John in Barbados. In a vault under the organ-loft
was discovered "the leaden coffin of Ferdinando Paleologus, in the
position adopted by the Greek church, which is the reverse of others.
It was opened on the 3rd of May, 1844, and in it was found a skeleton
of remarkable size, imbedded in quicklime, thus shewing, that although
Ferdinando may have accommodated himself to the circumstances of his
position, he died in the faith of his own church."[51] He thus appears
to have been of commanding appearance as his father.
[51] Archer.
Before we leave the little edifice, a look into the tower, and a
glance under the communion table. Two incidents attendant on the
perils of access to Landulph's maritime position meet the eye. In the
chancel a flat stone commemorates the fate of a former rector,
"_Edward Ameredith, who married Alice, the fourth daughter of William
Kekewitch of Catchfrench in Cornewall, Esquire; 8th of May,
1661,--being drowned in passing the Ryuer_." Within the tower a tablet
erected a hundred years later is thus inscribed,--
Near this place Lies the Body of
Fitz-Anthony Pennington, Bell-Founder,
of the Parish of Lezant in Cornwall,
who departed this Life, April 30, 1768.
_Aetatis suae_ 38.
Tho' Boisterous Winds & Billows sore,
Hath Tos'd me To and Fro,
By God's Decree in spite of both,
I rest now, here below.
At the top of the monument is incised a winged angel with a trumpet,
supporting a man bearing a church bell; at the bottom a laver-pot
flaming; both being emblems of his vocation. Fitz-Anthony Pennington,
member of a noted family of bell-founders, was also unfortunately
drowned. This occurred at Anthony passage,--a somewhat dangerous creek
further down the river,--while conveying across a church bell intended
to be set up at Landulph. The curious doggerel in praise and
regulation of ringing, that is inscribed on a large wooden tablet
opposite the monument, is said locally to be an effusion from his pen,
but it has a much earlier date. The Penningtons were successively of
Exeter, Lezant, and Stoke-Climsland, and itinerated as occasion
required. They cast nearly five hundred bells for the churches in
Devon and Cornwall, between the end of the seventeenth and the first
quarter of the nineteenth centuries.
Imperialist or Republican? Such are the echoes that quest the mental
ear from the opposite sides of the Tamar, as our little craft gets
well out into mid-stream, and we make for the creek that runs inland
on the shore immediately facing Landulph. Here dwelled an antient
family, in Domesday survey called Alured Brito, afterward named from
the place of their residence De Budockshed (since provincialized to
Butshead or Budshead), and who continued there from the time of King
John downward for fourteen generations, until about the middle of the
sixteenth century, when the inheritance passed by a distaff to the
possession of another old race (also having antecedents near), named
Gorges. The venerable home of the Budocksheds has been destroyed, but
two fine old barns--one of grand proportions--and a picturesque
granite gateway, still remain to attest its aforetime importance.
Winifred, one of the daughters and coheirs of Roger Budockshed, Esq.
(who married Frances daughter of Sir Philip Champernowne of Modbury),
the last possessor of that name of the mansion and manor; brought it
to her husband Sir William Gorges, knt., a Vice-Admiral, Deputy of
Ireland, and a Gentleman Pensioner of Queen Elizabeth. He was a scion
of the wide-spreading Somersetshire family of that name, and had three
sons,--Tristram, Arthur, and Edward. Dying in 1583, he left it to his
son Tristram, who married Elizabeth daughter of Martin Cole of
Cole-Anger. He had one son William, and four daughters, two of whom
married Courtenays of the Landrake descent, and another Trelawney.
William died without issue, and disinheriting his sisters, "conveyed
Budoke-side," says Pole, "unto Sr Arthur his unkle, and hee hath
lately sold it." Sir Arthur Gorges was of Chelsea, he disposed of the
old possession to the Trevills, a family of prosperous Plymouth
merchants. In the Budockshed aisle of the church is a handsome
monument to them, which bears the following inscription:--
Here Lyeth Bvried the Body of Richard Trevill, Esqr.,
who died Avgvst the XXVI., 1648. Aged 73.
Here Lyeth Bvried the Bodyes of Richard Trevill, Esqr.,
Nephew and Heire of the Aforesaid Richard,
who died April the 4th, 1662. Aged 51.
And also of Mary his Wife,
who died the XXV. day of Febrvary, 1663. Aged 57.
Here Lyeth Bvried the Body of Richard Trevill, Esq.,
Sonn of the said Richard and Mary,
who died Janvary the XIX. 1665. Aged 19.
This Monvment was Erected by William Trevill, of Bvtshead, Esq.,
in the year of ovr Lord 1667, to Perpetuate ye memorie
of his Worshipfull Predecessors and Relations here buried.
Arms,--_Or, a cross sable, debruised by a bendlet azure_ (TREVILL),
impaling,--_Argent, a chevron gules, between three birds (coots or
moorcocks), sable._
On ledger-lines upon flat stones below, the first and second of the
foregoing inscriptions are repeated, with the arms of Trevill
sculptured. In their centres are these further notices:--
Also Here Lyeth The Body of
William Trevill of Butshead, Esq., Father of Lethbridge Trevill,
who departed this Life the 18th Day of May, 1680.
Also Here Lyeth the Body of
Lethbridge Trevill, Son of William Trevill of Butshead, Esq.,
who departed this Life 27th of February, 1699.
The name of Trevill is still perpetuated in a street in Plymouth.
From the Trevills, by a distaff, it became the property of
Brigadier-General Trelawney, whence it descended to his son Sir Harry
Trelawney, Bart., _aide-de-camp_ to the celebrated Duke of
Marlborough. This gentleman "for many years led a retired life at
Budshead, where he amused himself with planting and gardening, having
been the first person who brought ornamental gardening to any
perfection in the west of England. His gardens, which abounded with
American and other exotic shrubs and plants, were much resorted to by
the curious." (Lysons.) Some remains of his taste still exist, and an
old yew garden, once having a fishpond in its centre, and one or two
noble trees of unmistakably foreign origin, still hale and vigorous.
This genealogical recital brings us to "the middle of our song."
William Gorges, the last local possessor of Budockshed, was cousin to
the celebrated Sir Ferdinando Gorges, the Founder of the State of
Maine, U.S.A., and for some years Governor of Plymouth. He was also
identified with St. Budeaux, both by property and marriage; first, by
being owner of the manor of Kinterbury in that parish, and secondly,
one of his four wives having been Elizabeth, sister of William Gorges
of Budockshed, and widow of Edward Courtenay. Sir Ferdinando, whose
history and proceedings are largely interwoven with the stirring
movements of his time, both of warlike character at home, and
colonization and enterprise abroad, died 14 May, 1647, and was buried
at Long-Ashton, near Bristol.
In the Budockshed aisle of the church of St. Budeaux, is a beautiful
monument to the memory of that family and their immediate successors,
the Gorges. It consists of a high-tomb, with pillars at the angles,
the cover-stone of slate finely carved, and a reredos of exquisite
Elizabethan design. On it are these arms,--1. _Sable, three fusils in
fess, between three stags' faces argent. Crest,--A moor's head
affrontee proper_ (BUDOCKSHED).--2. Quarterly,--1 and 4. _Lozengy or
and azure, a chevron gules, a crescent for difference_ (GORGES).--2.
and 3. _Argent, a bull passant sable, within a bordure of the second
bezantee_ (COLE).--3. GORGES, with crest,--_a greyhound's head couped
at the shoulders, and collared, with crescent for difference_.--4.
GORGES and BUDOCKSHED quarterly.--5. BUDOCKSHED, with crest. The
original inscription, which was probably gilded on it, had
disappeared, but the sculptured date, 1600, remains.
The monument had become greatly dilapidated, but was restored in 1881,
and the following inscription then cut on it,--
Roger Budockshed, of Budockshed, Esquire, obiit 1576.
Sir William Gorges, Knight, obiit 1583.
Dame Winifred Gorges, ob: 1599.
Tristram Gorges, of Budockshed, Esquire, ob: 1607.
Mrs. Elizabeth Gorges, ob: 1607.
Restored 1881: chiefly at the expense of
the Historical Society and Citizens of the State of Maine, U.S.A.;
in memory of Sir Ferdinando Gorges,
the first Proprietor and Governor of that Province, A.D. 1635;
aided by some connections of the Gorges family in England.
[Illustration: PANEL FROM THE GORGES TOMB. ST. BUDEAUX CHURCH.]
Singularly coincident,--as with the Paleologi at Landulph, so with
the second of the Gorges of Budockshed,--the recital of his life and
burial does not end all we have to say of him. In speaking of "St.
Buddocks," as Risdon calls it, he narrates the following:--
"The church of this parish once stood in a remote and unhealthy
place by the river side, but Robert Budshed rebuilt it in a place
more convenient, at his own cost; whereof (see the fate!) his own
daughter first possessed the place for her burial; and in this
church there is a tomb erected to the memory of Tristram Gorges
and Elizabeth his wife, daughter of Cole, which about thirty
years after his funeral was taken up by occasion of burying
another of that tribe in his sepulture; in whose coffin digged
up, the carcass was found with the flesh fallen on his ridge-bone
like a jelly, there lying all his bones in order, as they that
were eye-witnesses have delivered."[52]
[52] Robert Budockshed thus spoken of as builder of the present
church of St. Budeaux, married Anne daughter of Sir Thomas
Pomeroy, knt., and lived three generations before Roger of the
monument. Lysons says it was rebuilt in 1563, the era of _Roger_
Budockshed. Tradition records that the former church was at
Budockshed.
Enow of death and his doings. Now for the lesson of reflection that
the lives and aims of the principal characters in this little story of
to-day's wandering suggest to us. We take a farewell view from the
delightful acclivity on which the church of St. Budeaux is situate,
with panorama of the wide-spreading Tamar and its ramifications at our
feet, and the great Cornish hills retreating inimitably in the
distance beyond;--then slowly retrace our steps down to the river's
side at Budockshed, and are soon again afloat, half-drifting,
half-sailing, making for our haven at Saltash passage. Another and
strange dream of the vicissitudes of human life, finds its fulfilment
in the one case over the grave of the imperial exile at rest among the
peasantry of the hamlet in the little sanctuary yonder. Driven from
his native clime,--bereft of all his kingly traditions,--the splendid
empire he may have been born to rule the possession of the barbarian
invader,--himself dependant on the bounty of a stranger,--and his
royal name extinct,--such was the fate of Paleologus; conditions which
instruct us, that the same inexorable law of mutability affects
equally a dynasty, whether its residence be in a palace or a cottage.
There is no station privileged against the misfortunes that afflict
our common mortal conditions.
But what of the emigrant commemorated at St. Budeaux, Sir Ferdinando?
He voluntarily left his English home to help found the magnificent
commonwealth, that in a single century has absorbed a whole continent,
in extent infinitely larger than the realms the Constantines in their
fullest glory presided over, and whose existence was altogether
unknown when their last representative lost his crown and his life.
How different the errands of these men in their migrations from their
native land. But no emperor rules the destinies of the nation he
helped to found; the charm of simple and equal citizenship is the
secret of its strength; and while the memorial of Paleologus is viewed
with curious sympathy by the wayfarer, as being only the interesting
reminder of an extinct rule,--the tomb of Gorges has been renovated
by the descendants of those pioneers he helped to conduct across the
broad Atlantic, and left with them the deathless heritage of liberty
and progress.
Again we are enveloped in the gloom of the great bridge, another
pleasant day's voyaging is ended, and as our foot touches the shore, a
suggestive farewell thought follows us across the river, bearing on
its wing the motto inscribed on the sun-dial over the porch of the
church of St. Budeaux:--
"EX HOC MOMENTO PENDET AETERNITAS."
Upon this moment--here we part,
Until the coming dawn arise
And we are spared,--nay, do not start,
The present moment as it flies
Is all the dower Life gives the heart,
All that the miser Time supplies.
Upon this moment--yon bridge vast,
That spans the deep and darkling tide,
To that frail link which joins at last
Life to eternity so wide,
Is as the gossamer, that's cast
Across the green dell's dewy side.
Upon this moment--warm hands greet,
Though glance be hid by shadows dim,
Hark to those fisher children! sweet
Singing their votive evening hymn,--
Their dreams will be again to meet,
All undisturbed by truth so grim.
No sword of Damocles infest
Life's subtle thread of moments spun,
This day is ours--with loving zest
Cease not 'till all its work be done,
Then fold thy hands, and take thy rest,
And calmly wait to-morrow's sun.
[Illustration]