Page:The Excursion, Wordsworth, 1814.djvu/235

209 Upon the walls; and on the floor beneath

Sepulchral stones appeared, with emblems graven,

And foot-worn epitaphs, and some with small

And shining effigies of brass inlaid.

—The tribute by these various records claimed,

Without reluctance did we pay; and read

The ordinary chronicle of birth,

Office, alliance, and promotion—all

Ending in dust; of upright Magistrates,

Grave Doctors strenuous for the Mother Church,

And uncorrupted Senators—alike

To King and People true. A brazen plate,

Not easily decyphered, told of One

Whose course of earthly honour was begun

In quality of page among the Train

Of the eighth Henry, when he crossed the seas

His royal state to shew, and prove his strength

In tournament, upon the fields of France.

Another Tablet registered the death,

And praised the gallant bearing of a Knight

Tried in the sea-fights of the second Charles.

Near this brave Knight his Father lay entombed;

And, to the silent language giving voice,