Pope’s epitaph for Sir William Trumbull reads like a gentle portrait of a man who held life’s tensions in perfect equilibrium. Each line pairs qualities that might seem at odds — a firm but cautious mind, sincerity laced with prudence, constancy alongside a quiet willingness to let go. The speaker’s admiration comes through in this careful balancing act; it’s clear he sees Trumbull as someone rare, a courtier who stayed honest, a patriot true to both prince and country. What emerges is a mood of warm, unhurried respect, never showy. There’s no heavy grief here. Instead, the closing lines lift into a calm reassurance: removed from earthly constraints, Trumbull finally possesses the liberty he cherished. The epitaph feels less like a goodbye and more like a satisfied nod to a life well lived — principled, peaceful, and at last, entirely free.
Epitaph. on Sir William Trumbull. — Summary
A pleasing form; a firm, yet cautious mind; Sincere, though prudent; constant, yet resign'd: Honour unchanged, a principle profess'd, Fix'd to one side, but moderate to the rest: An honest courtier, yet a patriot too; Just to his prince, and to his country true: Fill'd with the sense of age, the fire of youth, A scorn of wrangling, yet a zeal for truth; A generous faith, from superstition free: A love to peace, and hate of tyranny; Such this man was; who now, from earth removed, At length enjoys that liberty he loved.