SACRED to the Memory of

JOHN COOKE, Esq:r late Captain of

His Majestys ship, BELLEROPHON,

Who, in the Battle

Of TRAFALGAR,

On the 21st of Oct:r 1805

Having evinced the most consummate skill, And Bravery,

In the conflict of that eventful day, Fell,

In a moment, glorious indeed to his COUNTRY,

But marked by the individual tears Of all who knew him. His inconsolable widow,

Places this tablet to record His virtues and His Fate, Near the spot which he had

chosen As his favourite retirement,

And to which, Having left it at the call of his Country,

He returned no more.

Periit Anno Aetatis 43.

Be merciful to her O God who bends,

And mourns the best of Husbands, Fathers, Friends.

Oh “when she wakes at midnight” but to shed,

Fresh tears of anguish on her lonely bed,

“Thinking on Him who IS NOT,” then restrain

Her bitter thoughts and her sad heart sustain.

FATHER OF MERCYS she remembers still

Thy chast’ning hand, and to thy Sov’reign will

Bows silent, but not HOPELESS whilst her eye,

She raises to a bright FUTURITY,

And trusts in better worlds thou wilt restore,

The Happiness she here can meet no more.

LOUISA, Relict of the above

Departed this life at Cheltenham Feby 5th 1853,

Aged 96 Years.