In memory of GEORGE, the son of GEORGE and MARGARET SWIFT, of Stoney
Middleton, who departed this life August the 21st, 1759, in the 20th
year of his age.
We the Quoir of Singers of this Church have erected this stone.
He's gone from us, in more seraphick lays
In Heaven to chant the Great Jehovah's praise;
Again to join him in those courts above,
Let's here exalt God's name with mutual love.
The following was written in memory of Madame Malibran, who died September
23rd, 1836:--
"The beautiful is vanished, and returns not."
'Twas but as yesterday, a mighty throng,
Whose hearts, as one man's heart, thy power could bow,
Amid loud shoutings hailed thee queen of song,
And twined sweet summer flowers around thy brow;
And those loud shouts have scarcely died away,
And those young flowers but half forgot thy bloom,
When thy fair crown is changed for one of clay--
Thy boundless empire for a narrow tomb!
Sweet minstrel of the heart, we list in vain
For music now; THY melody is o'er;
_Fidelio_ hath ceased o'er hearts to reign,
_Somnambula_ hath slept to wake no more!
Farewell! thy sun of life too soon hath set,
But memory shall reflect its brightness yet.