Richard Herbert (15..-1596)
In Sepulchrum Richardi Herberti, armigeri, et Magdalenae uxoris
ejus, hendecasyllaba.
Quid virtus, pietas, amorve recti,
Tunc cum vita fugit, juvare possunt?
In coelo relevent perenne nomen,
Hoc saxum doceat, duos recludens
Quos uno thalamo fideque junctos
Heic unus tumulus lapisve signat.
Jam longum sape, Lector, et valeto,
Aeternum venerans ubique nomen.
To this senceFA:—
O God! Woe is me miserable, my father was a miller, and my mother a milleresse, and I am now a ladie.
Note
FA A more exact rendering is:—
‘O woe is me (God) for shame,
That my father is a miller
And that my mother is a miller’s wife,
And that I am a peeress.’
Notes
1174(Ex libro B, p. 126):—In a buriall-place in the church at Montgomery (belonging to the castle) is a great out-started monument of Richard Herbert, esq. (father to the learned lord Herbert of Cherbery, and Mr. George Herbert, who wrote the sacred poëms), where are the effigies of him and Magdalene his wife, who afterwards was maried to Sir John Danvers of Wilts, and lies interred at Chelsey church but without any monument. Dr. Donne, dean of St. Paul’s, preached her funerall sermon, to which are annexed severall verses, Latin and Greeke, by Mr. George Herbert, in memorie of her. She was buryed, as appeares by the sermon, July 1, 1627.
1175In Brecknockshire, about 3 miles from Brecknock, is a village called Penkelly (Anglicè Hasel-wood), where is a little castle. It is an ancient seate of the Herberts. Mr. Herbert, of this place, came, by the mother’s side, of Ŵgan. The lord Cherbery’s ancestor came by the second venter, who was a miller’s daughter. The greatest part of the estate was settled on the issue by the 2d venter, viz. Montgomery castle, and Aberystwith. Upon this match with the miller’s daughter are to this day recited, or sung, by the Welsh, these verses: viz.:—
Ô gway vinney (dhyw) râg wilidh
Vôd vinhad yn velinidh
A’ vôd vy mam yn velinidhes
A’ môd inney yn arglwydhes.