Richard Burton in Mortlake, Richmond upon Thames

The remarkable 'tent' tomb of Sir Richard Burton (1821–90), the explorer and writer, and his wife Isabel Arundell, in St Mary Magdalen Roman Catholic Church, Mortlake. Isabel wrote his biography, which was published in 1893.

 

 

RICHARD BURTON

'FAREWELL, DEAR FRIEND, DEAD HERO! THE GREAT LIFE
IS ENDED, THE GREAT PERILS, THE GREAT JOYS;
AND HE TO WHOM ADVENTURES WERE AS TOYS,
WHO SEEMED TO BEAR A CHARM 'GAINST SPEAR OR KNIFE
OR BULLETS, NOW LIES SILENT FROM ALL STRIFE
OUT YONDER WHERE THE AUSTRIAN EAGLES POISE
ON ISTRIAN HILLS. BUT ENGLAND, AT THE NOISE
OF THAT DREAD FALL, WEEPS WITH THE HERO'S WIFE.
OH, LAST AND NOBLEST OF THE ERRANT KNIGHTS,
THE ENGLISH SOLDIER AND THE ARAB SHIEK!
OH, SINGER OF THE EAST WHO LOVED SO WELL
THE DEATHLESS WONDER OF THE "ARABIAN KNIGHTS",
WHO TOUCHED CAMOEN'S LUTE AND STILL WOULD SEEK
EVER NEW DEEDS UNTIL THE END! FAREWELL!'

JUSTIN HUNTLY McCARTHY.

 

The folds of the 'tent' in greater detail.

 

Steps at the back of the tomb allow people to look into the window that shows the coffins of Burton and his wife. (The window was originally stained glass but vandals put paid to that.)

As the sun was shining on it the day I went, though, a number of reflections rendered this only partly visible.