Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


EPITAPH by MARY WORTLEY MONTAGU

First Line: HERE LIES JOHN HUGHES AND SARAH DREW
Last Line: FOR POPE HAS WROTE UPON THEIR TOMB.
Subject(s): DEATH; EPITAPHS; LIGHTNING; MAN-WOMAN RELATIONSHIPS; POPE, ALEXANDER (1688-1744); WOMEN'S RIGHTS; DEAD, THE; LIGHTNING RODS; MALE-FEMALE RELATIONS; FEMINISM;

Here lies John Hughes and Sarah Drew.
Perhaps you'll say, what's that to you?
Believe me, friend, much may be said
On this poor couple that are dead.
On Sunday next they should have married;
But see how oddly things are carried.
On Thursday last it rained and lightened,
These tender lovers sadly frightened
Sheltered beneath the cocking hay
In hopes to pass the storm away.
But the bold thunder found them out
(Commissioned for that end no doubt)
And seizing on their trembling breath
Consigned them to the shades of death.
Who knows if 'twas not kindly done?
For had they seen the next year's sun
A beaten wife and cuckold swain
Had jointly cursed the marriage chain.
Now they are happy in their doom
For Pope has wrote upon their tomb.



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