Saw this monument at Westminster Abbey and had the strongest feeling of having read the poem before.
However, when I went to look for the author I couldn’t even find the text. This is especially annoying since when I search for the sculptor, Nicholas Stone, this is literally the first image coming up for me.
Interestingly, the Wikipedia article on Francis Holles does not match the Abbey’s nor the monument inscription (tldr: Frances went off to fight in Netherlands, came back, and died aged 18, mourned by his father, John, first (English, non-medieval) Earl of Clare).
What so thou hast of Nature, or of Arts,
Youth, beautie, strength, or what excelling parts,
Of mynd and boddie, letters, arms and worth,
His eighteen yeares, beyond his yeares, brought forth
Then stand and read thyself within this glas
How soon theise perish, and thy selfe may pas.
Mans life is measured by the worke, not dayes,
No aged sloth, but active youth hath prayse
