4 FADING AWAY. 



also from the chisel of Chantrey, and deservedly occu- 

 pies a conspicuous station, at the east end of the south 

 aisle. It was erected, to the memory of his late vene- 

 rable relative, by Richard Rosdew, of Beechwood, Esq. 

 The altar piece is a handsome piece of workmanship, 

 in the Palladian style, but quite out of character in a 

 Gothic structure. The tower is recorded to have been 

 built in 1440, at the cost of a merchant named Yogge, 

 and, though plain, is a fine, bold specimen, surmounted 

 by lofty pinnacles. The organ of this church is justly 

 celebrated as one of the finest (not cathedral) in the 

 West of England. 



— ^ ♦ » — 



FADING AWAY. 



A Mother's lips are pressed upon her brow — 

 Pale as white death — she cannot feel them now ; 

 One whispers near, the best ! the most beloved, 

 In friendship steadfast, in affliction proved ; 

 Her words are love — those accents are forgot, 

 She smooths her resting place — she knows it not : 

 Affection o'er her pillow bends to weep, 

 But cannot soothe away that dreary sleep ; 

 And yet it looks not sleep, it doth not bring 

 The balmy quiet of her shrouding wing, 

 It hath no silken dreams like those which, bright, 

 Stream o'er the eyelids of the musing night, 

 It hath no artless grace, no glowing charm, 

 Like Innocence, at rest, in blushes warm ; 

 But looks a sculptured image, cold and still. 

 Wrought from Marpesia's rock by Grecian skill. 

 It is a calm — but not a calm like death ; 

 Yet seems not life, save in the faltering breath, 

 The startling of low sighs or a long moan 

 Like Sorrow's voice repeated by a stone ; 

 A dreary calm — from which we turn in pain 

 Yet, moved by Pity, turn to gaze again. 



