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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTION TO WILLIAM NORTHCOT by WILLIAM COWPER

Poet Analysis

First Line: FAREWELL! 'BUT NOT FOR EVER,' HOPE REPLIES
Last Line: THOU SHALT NOT WITHER, NOR I WEEP, AGAIN.

HIC sepultus est
Inter suorum lacrymas
GULIELMUS NORTHCOT,
GULIELMI et MARIAE filius
Unicus, unice dilectus,
Qui floris ritu succisus est semihiantis,
Aprilis die septimo,
1780, AEt. 10.

Care, vale! Sed non aeternum, care, valeto!
Namque iterum tecum, sim modo dignus, ero.
Tum nihil amplexus poterit divellere nostros,
Nec tu marcesces, nec lacrymabor ego.

TRANSLATION.

FAREWELL! "But not for ever," Hope replies;
Trace but his steps and meet him in the skies!
There nothing shall renew our parting pain;
Thou shalt not wither, nor I weep, again.



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