<P> The poem concludes with a description of the poet's grave, over which the speaker is meditating, together with a description of the end of the poet's life: </P> <P> There at the foot of yonder nodding beech That wreathes its old fantastic roots so high, His listless length at noontide would he stretch, And pore upon the brook that babbles by . Hard by yon wood, now smiling as in scorn, Mutt'ring his wayward fancies he would rove, Now drooping, woeful wan, like one forlorn, Or craz'd with care, or cross'd in hopeless love . One morn I miss'd him on the custom'd hill, Along the heath and near his fav'rite tree; Another came; nor yet beside the rill, Nor up the lawn, nor at the wood was he; The next with dirges due in sad array Slow thro' the church - way path we saw him borne . Approach and read (for thou canst read) the lay, Grav'd on the stone beneath yon aged thorn ." (lines 101--116) </P> <P> An epitaph is included after the conclusion of the poem . The epitaph reveals that the poet whose grave is the focus of the poem was unknown and obscure . Circumstance kept the poet from becoming something greater, and he was separated from others because he was unable to join in the common affairs of their life: </P> <P> Here rests his head upon the lap of Earth A youth to Fortune and to Fame unknown . Fair Science frown'd not on his humble birth, And Melancholy mark'd him for her own . Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere, Heav'n did a recompense as largely send: He gave to Mis'ry all he had, a tear, He gain'd from Heav'n (' twas all he wish'd) a friend . No farther seek his merits to disclose, Or draw his frailties from their dread abode, (There they alike in trembling hope repose) The bosom of his Father and his God . (lines 117--128) </P>

Thomas gray poem elegy written in a country churchyard