Monumental Inscriptions in Ashbourn Church, Derbyshire/Maria Elizabeth Boothby

MONUMENT,
EXECUTED BY E. F. EVANS,
of DERBY.

SACRED

TO THE MEMORY OF
MARIA ELIZABETH BOOTHBY,
only Daughter of Sir BROOKE BOOTHBY, Bart.
and Dame PHŒBE his Wife,
born February 16th, 1758. Died August 22d, 1805.

Chaste Earth within thy hallow'd breast,
Let these sad relics, peaceful rest;
The mortal spoils, an Angel mind,
Mounting to Heaven, has left behind.
Her bosom, pure as Virgin snow,
Did with each mild affection glow,
Almost from human frailties free,
Yet boundless was her Charity;
The sense in her that brightly shone,
Seem'd to her modest self unknown.

Reader, no Poet's pencil drew
This portrait, it is simply true.
O, all beloved! the general woe
Thy universal worth may show:
And, O, too soon, united here,
With Parents, to thy bosom dear,
Sleep by a well-loved Mother's side,
In life her chiefest joy and pride.
Sister, farewell! nor time, nor place,
Maria's memory shall efface;
Thy Brothers, who inscribe this stone,
With their last sigh thy loss shall moan.