Poems By the most deservedly Admired Mrs Katherine Philips: The matchless Orinda. To which is added Monsieur Corneille's Pompey & Horace Tragedies. With several other Translations out of French |
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Wiston Vault.
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36
Wiston Vault.
And why this Vault and Tomb? alike we mustPut off Distinction, and put on our Dust.
Nor can the stateliest fabrick help to save
From the corruptions of a common Grave;
Nor for the Resurrection more prepare,
Than if the Dust were scatter'd into air.
What then? Th' ambition's just, say some, that we
May thus perpetuate our Memory.
Ah false vain task of Art! ah poor weak Man!
Whose Monument does more than's Merit can:
Who by his Friends best care and love's abus'd,
And in his very Epitaph accus'd:
For did they not suspect his Name would fall,
There would not need an Epitaph at all.
But after death too I would be alive,
And shall, if my Lucasia do, survive.
I quit these pomps of Death, and am content,
Having her heart to be my Monument:
Though ne're Stone to me; 'twill Stone for me prove,
By the peculiar miracles of Love.
There I'le Inscription have which no Tomb gives,
Not, Here Orinda lies, but, Here she lives.
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