Combe, William: The history of the abbey church of St. Peter's Westminster: its antiquities and monuments ; in two volumes (Band 2) (London, 1812) [Cicognara, 3926-2]

WESTMINSTER ABBEY. 151

was within the screen, and is particularly mentioned and appropriated by King
Henrjr's will, was destroyed by the zeal of republican fanaticism.

At the head of this tomb lie the remains of that hope of his kingdom,
Edward VI. who died in the sixteenth year of his age, and the seventh of his
reign. A monument was erected to his memory by his sister and successor,
Queen Mary, which, according to Camden, was beautiful in its form and rich in
sculpture; but being considered as a relict of Popish superstition, was demolished
also by the frenzy of the Puritans.

On the inside of the brass screen that incloses the tomb, is the following
inscription, which is repeated on the outside, but has suffered some obli-
teration.

Septim' Henkic' tumulo requiescit i' islo,
Qui regu' splendor, lumen, et orbis erat.
Rex vigil et sapiens, comes, virtulis amalor,
Egregi' forma, strenu' atque potens.
Qui pep' it pacem regno, qui bella peregit
Pluri'a, qui victor setup1 ab hoste rcdit.
Qui natas binis conjunxit regib' ambas,
Regib' et cu'ctis federe junct' erat.
Qui sacru' hoc struxit templum, statuitq' sepulcbru'.

Pro se, proq' sua conjuge, prole, domo.
Lustra decern atq' annos tres plus, compleverat a'nis,
Nam tribus octenis, regia sceptra tulit.
Quindecies d'm, centenus fluxerat ann'
Currebat nonus, cum venit atra dies;
Septima ter mensis lux tunc fulgebat ap' lis,

Cu' clausit summu' tanta Corona diem.
Nulla dedere prius tantu' sibi secula regem
Anglia, vix similcm postcriora dabunt.