Inscription + 

For the Spot Where the Hermitage Stood on St. Herbert’s Island, Derwent-Water + 

If Thou in the dear love of some one Friend + 

Hast been so happy, that thou know’st what thoughts + 

Will, sometimes, in the happiness of love + 

Make the heart sick, then wilt thou reverence + 

This quiet spot.⁠—St. Herbert hither came, + 

And here, for many seasons, from the world + 

Removed, and the affections of the world, + 

He dwelt in solitude.⁠—But he had left + 

A Fellow-labourer, whom the good Man loved + 

As his own soul. And, when within his cave + 

Alone he knelt before the crucifix + 

While o’er the Lake the cataract of Lodore + 

Pealed to his orisons, and when he paced + 

Along the beach of this small isle and thought + 

Of his Companion, he would pray that both + 

Might die in the same moment. Nor in vain + 

So prayed he:⁠—as our Chronicles report, + 

Though here the Hermit numbered his last days, + 

Far from St. Cuthbert his beloved Friend, + 

Those holy Men both died in the same hour. + 