The Poems and Miscellaneous Compositions of Paul Whitehead ::

The Poems and Miscellaneous Compositions of Paul Whitehead

With Explanatory Notes on his Writings, and His life written by Captain Edward Thompson. With a Head of the Author, From a Painting by Mr. Gainsborough

Whitehead, Paul (1710-1774)

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176

VERSES

Inscribed on a Monument called The Tomb of Care, in the Garden of the late John Rich, Esq. at Cowley, in Middlesex; whereon three beautiful Boys are covering a funeral Urn with a Veil of Flowers.

Why, busy Boys, why thus entwine
The flowery veil around this shrine?
As if, for halcyon days like these,
The sight too solemn were to please:
Mistaken Boys, what sight's so fair—
To mortals, as the Tomb of Care?
Here let the gloomy Tyrant lie;
His urn an altar shall supply,
Sacred to Ease, and social Mirth;
For Care's decease—is Pleasure's birth.

University of Virginia Library

VERSES

Inscribed on a Monument called The Tomb of Care, in the Garden of the late John Rich, Esq. at Cowley, in Middlesex; whereon three beautiful Boys are covering a funeral Urn with a Veil of Flowers.