Death & Dying

Epitaphs Translated from Chiabrera VIII

by William Wordsworth 1770–1850

Translated by William Wordsworth (1810) · From Poetical Works, ed. Knight (1896), vol. IV

Death & Dying

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.

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Translated from the Italian of Chiabrera; published 1810.

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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