[Epitaph on Sir William Williams]

1 Here, foremost in the dangerous paths of fame,
2 Young Williams fought for England's fair renown;
3 His mind each Muse, each Grace adorned his frame,
4 Nor Envy dared to view him with a frown.
5 At Aix uncalled his maiden sword he drew,
6 (There first in blood his infant glory sealed);
7 From fortune, pleasure, science, love, he flew,
8 And scorned repose when Britain took the field.
9 With eyes of flame and cool intrepid breast,
10 Victor he stood on Belle Isle's rocky steeps;
11 Ah gallant youth! this marble tells the rest,
12 Where melancholy Friendship bends and weeps.

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About this text

Title (in Source Edition): [Epitaph on Sir William Williams]
Author: Thomas Gray
Themes: death
Genres: epitaph

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Source edition

Gray, Thomas, 1716-1771. Thomas Gray: English poems. Web. Oxford: Thomas Gray Archive, 2002. http://www.thomasgray.org/texts/poems.shtml

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