Note 302 — Chapter XX · THE SUPREME HOUR!
Reading edition
It is said that Jane scratched some verses on the walls of her apartment with a pin, but, although numerous devices inscribed by the unfortunate persons who have at different times been the inhabitants of the Tower were discovered in divers parts of it some years ago, during alterations, not the slightest trace of these verses were found. This does not, however, prove that they never existed, and as they are constantly attributed to Lady Jane, we have thought it best to reprint them here:—
“Non aliena putes homini quæ obtingere possunt; Sors hodierna mihi, cras erit ilia tibi.”
This has been thus translated:—
“To mortals’ common fate thy mind resign, My lot to-day, to-morrow may be thine——”
These lines are also paraphrased as follows:—
“Think not, O mortal! vainly gay, That thou from human woes art free; The bitter cup I drink to-day, To-morrow may be drunk by thee.”
The following is also said to have been written by Jane in like manner:—
“Deo juvante, nil nocet, livor malus; Et non juvante, nil juvat labor gravis, Post tenebras, spero lucem”:
Which has been translated in two ways:—
“Whilst God assists us, envy bites in vain, If God forsake us, fruitless all our pain— I hope for light after the darkness.”
Or:—
“Harmless all malice if our God be nigh, Fruitless all pains if He His help deny, Patient I pass these gloomy hours away, And wait the morning of eternal day.”
In the Beauchamp Tower, in that room which was occupied by Northumberland, the name “Jane” appears twice, cut into the wall. It has been said that this was the work of Lord Guildford Dudley, but it is more probable that it was carved by Northumberland, his faithful wife’s name being Jane.