On Miss Jerningham. January 1773

AH, venerate this hallow'd ground,
And mark the infant-virtues round!
See Innocence, celestial fair,
With Childhood, Heav'n's peculiar care:
See Beauty opening into bloom,
Bending o'er this youthful tomb:
Behold Affection that endears,
And Wit beyond an infant's years,
And Constancy (mid mortal pain,
Still, still refusing to complain)
By Sorrow led, a choral band,
Fix'd on this sacred spot they stand!
And as they view this marble stone,
Their little Mistress they bemoan.