13. that yew-tree’s shade. It has been suggested that this should read, “that yew-trees shade,” because the yew is not a large tree. In that case the meaning would be “those rugged elms that shade the yew-trees of the churchyard.”
16. rude. Lacking refinement, unpolished.
17. incense-breathing. Breathing fragrance.
26. glebe. Sod, turf.
29. Ambition. Ambitious people. Such personification is frequent throughout the poem.
33. The boast of heraldry. The pride of lineage or family descent. Heraldry was the science that dealt with armorial bearings; and a family who were versed in heraldry and knew the meaning and history of their coat-of-arms might be in a position to boast of their lineage.
38. trophies. Memorials to commemorate their great deeds.
39. fretted vault. The arched ceiling ornamented with fretwork.
41. storied urn. A vessel containing the ashes of the dead, and inscribed with a record of his virtues.
animated bust. A life-like image.