"A favourite boundary to their lengthened walks This Church-yard was. And, whether they had come Treading their path in sympathy and linked In social converse, or by some short space Discreetly parted to preserve the peace, One spirit seldom failed to extend its sway 480 Over both minds, when they awhile had marked The visible quiet of this holy ground, And breathed its soothing air;--the spirit of hope And saintly magnanimity; that--spurning The field of selfish difference and dispute, 485 And every care which transitory things, Earth and the kingdoms of the earth, create-- Doth, by a rapture of forgetfulness, Preclude forgiveness, from the praise debarred, Which else the Christian virtue might have claimed. 490 "There live who yet remember here to have seen Their courtly figures, seated on the stump Of an old yew, their favourite resting-place. But as the remnant of the long-lived tree Was disappearing by a swift decay, 495 They, with joint care, determined to erect, Upon its site, a dial,[HM] that might stand For public use preserved, and thus survive[553] As their own private monument: for this Was the particular spot, in which they wished 500 (And Heaven was pleased to accomplish the desire) That, undivided, their remains should lie. So, where the mouldered tree had stood, was raised Yon structure, framing, with the ascent of steps That to the decorated pillar[HN] lead, 505 A work of art more sumptuous than might seem To suit this place;[554] yet built in no proud scorn Of rustic homeliness; they only aimed To ensure for it respectful guardianship. Around the margin of the plate, whereon 510 The shadow falls to note the stealthy hours, Winds an inscriptive legend."--At these words Thither we turned; and gathered, as we read, The appropriate sense, in Latin numbers couched: '_Time flies; it is his melancholy task 515 To bring, and bear away, delusive hopes, And re-produce the troubles he destroys. But, while his blindness thus is occupied, Discerning Mortal! do thou serve the will Of Time's eternal Master, and that peace, 520 Which the world wants, shall be for thee confirmed!_'[555]