But hushed be every thought that springs From out the bitterness of things; Her quiet is secure; No thorns can pierce her tender feet, 40 Whose life was, like the violet, sweet, As climbing jasmine, pure-- As snowdrop on an infant's grave, Or lily heaving with the wave That feeds it and defends; 45 As Vesper, ere the star hath kissed The mountain top, or breathed the mist That from the vale ascends. Thou takest not away, O Death! Thou strikest[409]--absence perisheth, 50 Indifference is no more; The future brightens on our sight; For on the past hath fallen a light That tempts us to adore. In a letter from Mrs. Wordsworth to Lady Beaumont, dated "Rydal Mount, Feb. 25, 1825," she says:-- "We are all much moved by the manner in which Miss Willes has received the verses,--particularly Wm., who feels himself more than rewarded for the _labour_ I cannot call it of the composition--for the tribute was poured forth with a deep stream of fervour that was something beyond labour, and it has required very little correction. In one instance a single word in the '_Address to Sir George_' is changed since we sent the copy, viz.: 'graciously' for 'courteously,' as being a word of more dignity." The following inscription was "copied from the Churchyard of Claines, Sept. 14, 1826," by Dorothy Wordsworth, in a MS. book, containing numerous epitaphs on tombstones, and inscriptions on rural monuments in Cathedrals and Churches, in various parts of the country. Sacred To the memory of Frances Fermor, Relict of Henry Fermor, Esqre., Of Fritwell, in the County of Oxford, And eldest Daughter of the late John Willes, Esqre., of Astrop, in the county _Of Northamptonshire_, who departed this life, Dec. 5th, 1824, aged 68 years. I am the way, the truth, and The life. Whoso cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.--ED. FOOTNOTES: [404] 1837. ELEGIAC STANZAS, 1824. 1827. [405] 1845. To bind ... 1827. [406] 1837. Had Faith ... 1827. [407] 1827. So courteously ... In a MS. copy sent to Coleorton. [408] 1827. Pale was her hue, but mortal cheek In MS. from Mrs. Wordsworth to Lady Beaumont. [409] 1840. Thou strik'st--and ... 1827. CENOTAPH In affectionate remembrance of Frances Fermor, whose remains are deposited in the church of Claines, near Worcester, this stone is erected by her sister, Dame Margaret, wife of Sir George Beaumont, Bart., who, feeling not less than the love of a brother for the deceased, commends this memorial to the care of his heirs and successors in the possession of this place. Composed 1824.--Published 1842 [See "Elegiac Stanzas. (Addressed to Sir G.H.B., upon the death of his sister-in-law.)"--I.F.]