An EPITAPH. Joseph Giles Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T131163 K104099.005 Dodsley, Robert, 1703-1764. A Collection of Poems in Six Volumes. By Several Hands. Vol. V. London printed by J. Hughs, for R. and J. Dodsley 1763 [1st ed. 1758] pp. 92-93. 6v.: music; 8⁰.

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An EPITAPH . By the same . IF e'er sharp sorrow from thine eyes did flow , If e'er thy bosom felt another's woe , If e'er fair beauty's charms thy heart did prove , If e'er the offspring of thy virtuous love Bloom'd to thy wish , or to thy soul was dear , This plaintive marble asks thee for a tear ! For here , alas ! too early snatch'd away , All that was lovely Death has made his prey . No more her cheeks with crimson roses vie , No more the diamond sparkles in her eye ; Her breath no more its balmy sweets can boast , Alas ! that breath with all its sweets is lost . Pale now those lips , where blushing rubies hung , And mute the charming music of her tongue ! Ye virgins fair , your fading charms survey , She was whate'er your tender hearts can say ; To her sweet memory for ever dear , Let the green turf receive your trickling tear . To this sad place your earliest garlands bring , And deck her grave with firstlings of the Spring . Let opening roses , drooping lillies tell , Like those she bloom'd , and ah ! like these she fell . In circling wreaths let the pale ivy grow , And distant yews a sable shade bestow ; Round her , ye Graces , constant vigils keep , And guard ( fair Innocence ! ) her sacred sleep : Till that bright morn shall wake the beauteous clay , To bloom and sparkle in eternal day .