THE MIRROR
OF
LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION.
| Vol. XIII. No. 364. | SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 1829 | PRICE 2d. |
TOMB OF GOWER, THE POET.
Tomb of Gower, the Poet.Dr. Johnson has dignified Gower with the character of "THE FATHER OFENGLISH POETRY"; so that no apology is required for the introduction ofthe above memorial in our pages. It stands in the north aisle of thechurch of St. Mary Ovrie, or St. Saviour, Southwark; and is one of therichest monuments within those hallowed walls. The tomb consists of threeGothic arches, the roof of which springs into several angles. The archesare richly ornamented with cinnquefoil tracery, roses, and carved work ofexquisite character. Behind these arches are two rows of trefoil niches;and between them also rises a square column, of the Doric order,surmounted by carved pinnacles. On the extremity of the arches is placedrichly carved foliage, of a similar character to that which ornamentsthe edges of the arches; and in the centre are circles enclosingquatrefoils. From the bases of the two middle square columns descendroses, and other foliage; and from the lower extremities of the interiorarches descend cherubim. Within three painted niches, are the figures ofCharity, Mercy, and Pity, round whom are entwined golden scrolls bearingthe following inscriptions:
"Pour la Pitie Jesu regarde.
Et tiens cest Ami en saufve Garde."
Jesu! for thy compassion's sake look down,
And guard this soul as if it were thine own.
On the second scroll is written:
"Oh, bon Jesu! faite Mercy,
Al' Ame dont le Corps gist icy."
Oh! good Jesu! Mercy shew
To him whose body lies below.
On the third scroll is written:
"En toy qui es Fitz de Dieu le Pere,
Saufve soit qui gist sours cest Pierre."
May he who lies beneath this stone,
Be sav'd in thee, God's only son!1
Between each of these figures are painted blank trefoil niches; and belowthe whole, on a plain tablet, the following inscription:
"Armiger scutum nihil a modo fut tibi tutum,
Reddidit immolutum, morti generali tributum,
Spiritus exutum se gaudeat esse solutum,
Est ubi vistutum, Regnum sive labe statutum."
On the left side:
"Hoc viri
Inter inclytos memorandi
Monumentum sepulchrali,
Restaurari propriis impensis
Parocnia hujus meolæ
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