MANUSCRIPT: AC. Pencil.

PUBLICATION: L (1894) 432; L (1931) 421.

This apostrophe to dying nature was received, according to Mrs. Todd's diary, on 19 July. For its image draws upon Simonide's epitaph for the Spartans who fell at Thermopylae: "Go tell the Spartans, thou that passeth by/, That here, obedient to the laws, we lie." (See also letter no. 519.)