THE MEMORIAL PILLAR. On the road-side between Penrith and Appleby, stands a small pillar, with this inscription:-"This pillar was erected in the year 1656, by Ann, Countess Dowager of Pembroke, for a memorial of her last parting, in this place, with her good and pious mother, Margaret, Countess Dowager of Cumberland, on the 2d April, 1616."-See Notes to the "Pleasures of Memory.” 19 THE MEMORIAL PILLAR. Hast thou, through Eden's wild-wood vales pursued Nor with attention's lifted eye, revered That modest stone, by pious Pembroke rear'd, ROGERS. MOTHER and child! whose blending tears Have sanctified the place, Where, to the love of many years, Was given one last embrace; Oh! ye have shrin'd a spell of power, A spell to waken solemn thought, A still, small under-tone, That calls back days of childhood, fraught With many a treasure gone; And smites, perchance, the hidden source, Though long untroubled-of remorse. For who, that gazes on the stone Alas! and haply learn'd its worth First with the sound of " Earth to earth?" But thou, high-hearted daughter! thou, For oh! though painful be th' excess, The might wherewith it swells, In nature's fount no bitterness Of nature's mingling, dwells; And thou hadst not, by wrong or pride, Poison'd the free and healthful tide. But didst thou meet the face no more, It was!-On earth no other eye No other voice could pierce the maze No other smile to thee could bring A gladd'ning, like the breath of spring. |