Explore "Epitaph on Sir William Williams" by Thomas Gray on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Here, foremost in the dangerous paths of fame, / Young Williams fought for England's fair renown; / His mind each Muse, each Grace adorned his frame, / Nor envy dared to view him with a frown.
At Aix, his voluntary sword he drew, / There first in blood his infant honour sealed; / From fortune, pleasure, science, love, he flew, / And scorned repose when Britain took the field.
With eyes of flame, and cool undaunted breast / Victor he stood on Belleisle's rocky steeps --
Ah, gallant youth; this marble tells the rest, / Where melancholy friendship bends, and weeps.