POEMS

COMPOSED OR SUGGESTED DURING A TOUR IN THE SUMMER OF 1833

XXXIX. MONUMENT OF MRS. HOWARD

by Nollekens

IN WETHERAL CHURCH, NEAR CORBY, ON THE BANKS OF THE EDEN

          STRETCHED on the dying Mother's lap, lies dead
          Her new-born Babe; dire ending of bright hope!
          But Sculpture here, with the divinest scope
          Of luminous faith, heavenward hath raised that head
          So patiently; and through one hand has spread
          A touch so tender for the insensate Child--
          (Earth's lingering love to parting reconciled,
          Brief parting, for the spirit is all but fled)--
          That we, who contemplate the turns of life
          Through this still medium, are consoled and cheered;        10
          Feel with the Mother, think the severed Wife
          Is less to be lamented than revered;
          And own that Art, triumphant over strife
          And pain, hath powers to Eternity endeared.