Note 15 — Chapter IX
Reading edition
Chapel: the late Matthew Arnold wrote the following lines on his father's tomb in the chapel:—
"O strong soul, by what shore Tarriest thou now? For that force, Surely, has not been left vain! Somewhere, surely, afar, In the sounding labor-house vast Of being, is practised that strength, Zealous, beneficent, firm! "Yes, in some far-shining sphere, Conscious or not of the past, Still thou performest the word Of the Spirit in whom thou dost live,— Prompt, unwearied, as here! "Still thou upraisest with zeal The humble good from the ground, Sternly repressest the bad! Still, like a trumpet, dost rouse Those who with half-open eyes Tread the border-land dim 'Twixt vice and virtue; reviv'st, Succorest!—this was thy work, 'This was thy life upon earth.' "But thou would'st not alone Be saved, my father! alone Conquer and come to thy goal, Leaving the rest in the wild. Therefore to thee it was given Many to save with thyself; And at the end of thy days, O faithful shepherd! to come, Bringing thy sheep in thy hand."
Rugby Chapel, November, 1857.—Matthew Arnold.