Page:Walks in the Black Country and its green border-land.pdf/270

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Walks in the Black Country

He died in 1550, and his monument stands on the left of the altar. On the right is that of his mother. Lady Davnsay, honoured with the same number of lines, one of which is—

"An ere to Blind, a lyme to Lame she was."

Sir William Vernon, once Military High Chancellor of England, and his Lady Margaret, and a family of twelve children have their figures engraven in brass plates set into a marble slab, all begging mercy instead of bragging of their virtues and riches and honours to living men. They appear to have been a devotional family in their day and way. Every visiter at Haddon Hall must remember the rude words cut deep into the stone over the right postern: "God save the Vernons!"

Here Sir William says:

"God be praised for his mercies."

Lady Vernon:

"Jesus, son of David, be merciful unto us."

First child:

"Lord. I have lifted up my soul to thee."

Second child:

"Son of God, remember me."

Third child:

"I have put my trust in the Lord, and he will deliver me."

Fourth child:

"Jesus, son of Mary, of thy pity be merciful unto us."