| Alexander Pope (1688–1744). Complete Poetical Works. 1903. | | | | Epitaphs | | On Two Lovers Struck Dead by Lightning |
| | | | John Hughes and Sarah Drew. See Pope’s letter to Lady Mary written in September, 1718. |
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I WHEN Eastern lovers feed the Funeral Fire, | |
| On the same pile their faithful Fair expire; | |
| Here pitying Heav’n that Virtue mutual found, | |
| And blasted both, that it might neither wound. | |
| Hearts so sincere th’ Almighty saw well pleas’d, | 5 |
| Sent his own lightning, and the victims seiz’d. | |
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II Think not by rig’rous judgment seiz’d, | |
| A pair so faithful could expire; | |
| Victims so pure Heav’n saw well pleas’d, | |
| And snatch’d them in celestial fire. | 10 |
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III Live well, and fear no sudden fate: | |
| When God calls Virtue to the grave, | |
| Alike ’t is Justice, soon or late, | |
| Mercy alike to kill or save. | |
| Virtue unmov’d can hear the call, | 15 |
| And face the flash that melts the ball. | | | |
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