"Life is a jest, and all things show it: I thought so once, but now I know it." Underneath are these verses, by Mr. Pope, who lived always in great friendship with Mr. Gay: "Of manners gentle, of affections mild; In wit a man, simplicity a child; With native humour temp'ring virtuous rage, Form'd to delight at once and lash the age; Above temptation in a low estate, And uncorrupted e'en among the great; A safe companion and an easy friend, Unblamed through life, lamented in thy end; These are thy honours; not that here thy bust Is mix'd with heroes, or with Kings thy dust; But that the worthy and the good shall say, Striking their pensive bosoms--Here lies Gay!" He died December 4, 1732, aged forty-five.--_Rysbrack, sculptor._ NICHOLAS ROWE, Esq., and his only daughter. On the front of the pedestal is this inscription:--"To the memory of Nicholas Rowe, Esq., who died in 1718, aged forty-five; and of CHARLOTTE, his only daughter, wife of Henry Fane, Esq., who, inheriting her father's spirit, and amiable in her own innocence and beauty, died in the twenty-second year of her age, 1739." Underneath, upon the front of the altar, is this epitaph:-- "Thy reliques, Rowe! to this sad shrine we trust, And near thy Shakspeare place thy honour'd bust. Oh! next him skill'd to draw the tender tear, For never heart felt passion more sincere; To nobler sentiment to fire the brave, For never Briton more disdained a slave; Peace to thy gentle shade, and endless rest, Blest in thy genius, in thy love, too, blest! And blest, that timely from our scene remov'd, Thy soul enjoys that liberty it lov'd! To these so mourn'd in death, so loved in life, The childless parent and the widow'd wife, With tears inscribed this monumental stone, That hold their ashes, and expects her own." Mr. Rowe was Poet Laureate, and author of several fine tragedies; and, just before his death, had finished a translation of Lucan's Pharsalia.--_Rysbrack, sculptor._ JAMES THOMSON, author of the Seasons, and other Poetical Works. The figure of Mr. Thomson leans its left arm upon a pedestal, holding a book in one hand, and the Cap of Liberty in the other. Upon the pedestal, in bas-relief, are the Seasons; to which a boy points, offering him a laurel crown, as the reward of his genius. At the feet of the figure is the tragic mask and the ancient harp. The whole is supported by a projecting pedestal, and in a panel is the following inscription:--"James Thomson, _Ætatis 48, Obit 27 August, 1748_. Tutored by thee, sweet Poetry exalts her voice to ages, and informs the page with music, image, sentiment, and thought, never to die!" Erected 1762.--_Spang, sculptor._