On the Tombs in Westminster

Francis Beaumont

Mortality, behold and fear,
What a change of flesh is here!
Think how many royal bones
Sleep within this heap of stones;
Here they lie, had realms and lands,
Who now want strength to stir their hands
Where from their pulpits, soiled with dust,
They preach, in gi-eatness is no trust.
Here's an acre sown indeed
With the richest, royal'st seed
That the earth did e'er suck in
Since the first man died for sin;
Here the bones of birth have cried.
Though gods they were, as men they died;
Here are sands, ignoble things
Dropped from the rained sides of kings.
Here's a world of pomp and state
Buried in dust, once dead by fate.

Westminster Abbey is the resting place of many English Kings and historical figures. Many poets are also commemorated in the Abbey's Poet's Corner.