Death & Dying
Epitaphs Translated from Chiabrera VIII
Translated by William Wordsworth (1810) · From Poetical Works, ed. Knight (1896), vol. IV
Not without heavy grief of heart did He
On whom the duty fell (for at that time
The father sojourned in a distant land)
Deposit in the hollow of this tomb
A brother's Child, most tenderly beloved!
FRANCESCO was the name the Youth had borne,
POZZOBONNELLI his illustrious house;
And, when beneath this stone the Corse was laid,
The eyes of all Savona streamed with tears.
Alas! the twentieth April of his life
Had scarcely flowered: and at this early time,
By genuine virtue he inspired a hope
That greatly cheered his country: to his kin
He promised comfort; and the flattering thoughts
His friends had in their fondness entertained,
He suffered not to languish or decay.
Now is there not good reason to break forth
Into a passionate lament?--O Soul!
Short while a Pilgrim in our nether world,
Do thou enjoy the calm empyreal air;
And round this earthly tomb let roses rise,
An everlasting spring! in memory
Of that delightful fragrance which was once
From thy mild manners quietly exhaled.
Codex Note
Translated from the Italian of Chiabrera; published 1810.
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MLA
Wordsworth, William. “Epitaphs Translated from Chiabrera VIII.” Translated by William Wordsworth. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wordsworth/250/.
Chicago
Wordsworth, William. “Epitaphs Translated from Chiabrera VIII.” Translated by William Wordsworth. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wordsworth/250/.
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