Page:Biographical and critical studies by James Thomson ("B.V.").djvu/154

 138 BIOGRAPHICAL STUDIES Years he numbered scarce thirteen, When Fates turned cruel, Yet three filled zodiacs had he been The stage's jewel ; And did act, what now we moan, Old men so duly, As, sooth, the Parcse thought him one. He played so truly. So, by error, to his fate They all consented ; But, viewing him since, alas, too late ! They have repented ; And have sought, to give new birth, In baths to steep him But, being so much too good for earth, Heaven vows to keep him." The second (Epigram 124) is on Elizabeth L. H., a lady, I believe, still unidentified : — " Wouldst thou hear what man can say In a little ? reader, stay. Underneath this stone doth lie As much beauty as could die : Which in life did harbour give To more virtue than doth live. If at all she had a fault, Leave it buried in this vault. One name was Elizabeth, The other let it sleep with death : Fitter, where it died, to tell, Than that it lived at all. Farewell ! " It will be remembered that Mrs. Barrett Brown- ing has a beautiful little poem, " A Portrait," bearing for motto the line, "One name was Elizabeth;" a line applicable to the poetess herself, to whose other