[ Epitaph on Sir William Williams ] Gray, Thomas, 1716-1771 Alexander Huber Editor Göttingen State and University Library, University of Göttingen
Historic Building Papendiek 14 D-37073 Göttingen Germany
Thomas Gray Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@thomasgray.org https://www.thomasgray.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Gray's letter to Mason, Aug. 1761

This e-text is part of the Primary Texts section of the Thomas Gray Archive.

XML created for the Thomas Gray Archive.

Spelling has been modernized throughout, except in case of conscious archaisms. Contractions, italics and initial capitalization have been largely eliminated, except where of real import. Obvious errors have been silently corrected, punctuation has been supplied. The editor would like to express his gratitude to the library staff of the Göttingen State and University Library (SUB Göttingen) for their invaluable assistance.

Library of Congress Name Authority File (LCNAF) text-indent: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center; text-align: right; text-align: left; display: inline font-style: italic;
[ Epitaph on Sir William Williams ] Here , foremost in the dangerous paths of fame , Young Williams fought for England's fair renown ; His mind each Muse , each Grace adorned his frame , Nor Envy dared to view him with a frown . At Aix uncalled his maiden sword he drew , ( There first in blood his infant glory sealed ) ; From fortune , pleasure , science , love , he flew , And scorned repose when Britain took the field . With eyes of flame and cool intrepid breast , Victor he stood on Belle Isle's rocky steeps ; Ah gallant youth ! this marble tells the rest , Where melancholy Friendship bends and weeps .