An Arundel Tomb
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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"An Arundel Tomb" is a poem by Philip Larkin, published in 1964 in his collection The Whitsun Weddings. It comprises 7 verses of 6 lines each, each rhyming abbcac.
The poem describes a medieval tomb that can be found in Chichester cathedral; the tomb is of Richard FitzAlan, 10th Earl of Arundel (d. 1376), and his second wife, Eleanor of Lancaster (d. 1372), with their dogs at their feet. He has his right hand ungloved, and her right hand rests lightly upon his.
In an audio recording of the poem, Larkin states that the effigies were unlike any he had ever seen before and that he found them "extremely affecting."
Larkin uses this scene to muse on time, mortality and the limits of earthly love.
It begins thus:-
- Side by side, their faces blurred,
- The earl and countess lie in stone,
and concludes
- Our almost-instinct almost true:
- What will survive of us is love.
The poem was one of the three read at Larkin's memorial service.
See also