Poems and Extracts/Inscription (2)

by Mark Akenside

For works with similar titles, see Inscription.

Inscription

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Whoe'er thou art whose path in summer lies
Through yonder village, turn thee where the grove
Of branching oaks a rural palace old
Inbosoms. There dwells Albert, generous lord
Of all the harvest round. And onward thence
A low plain chapel fronts the morning light
Fast by a rivulet. Humbly walk,
O Stranger, o'er the consecrated ground,
And on that verdant hillock, which thou see'st
Beset with osiers, let thy pious hand10
Sprinkle fresh water from the brook, and strew
Sweet-smelling flowers. For there doth Edmund rest
The learned Shepherd; for each rural art
Famed, and for songs harmonious, and the woes
Of ill-requited love. The faithless pride

Of fair Matilda sank him to the grave
In manhood's prime. But soon did righteous Heaven,
With tears of sharp remorse, and pining care
Avenge her falsehood. Nor could all the gold
And nuptial pomp, which lured her plighted faith
From Edmund to a loftier husband's home,21
Relieve her breaking heart, or turn aside
The strokes of death. Go Traveller; relate
The mournful story. Haply some fair maid
May hold it in remembrance, and be taught
That riches cannot pay for truth and love.

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