Wm. Wordsworth.
Rydal Mount, December 23rd, ’43.
To the Memory of Robert Southey, a Man eminent for genius, versatile talents, extensive and accurate knowledge, and habits of the most conscientious industry. Nor was he less distinguished for strict temperance, pure benevolence, and warm affections; but his Mind, such are the awful dispensations of Providence, was prematurely and almost totally obscured by a slowly-working and inscrutable malady under which he languished until released by death in the 69th year of his age.
Reader! ponder the condition to which this great and good Man, not without merciful alleviations, was doomed, and learn from his example to make timely use of thy endowments and opportunities, and to walk humbly with thy God.
COPY OF THE PRINTED INSCRIPTION
Sacred to the Memory of Robert Southey, whose mortal remains are interred in the adjoining churchyard. He was born at Bristol, October 4th, 1774, and died after a residence of nearly 40 years at Greta Hall, in this Parish, March 21st, 1843.
Ye torrents, foaming down the rocky steeps,
Ye lakes, wherein the spirit of water sleeps,
Ye vales and hills, whose beauty hither drew
The Poet’s steps and fixed him here, on you