PLAQUES
ALEXANDER POPE, SHERBORNE CASTLE
"Hope springs eternal in the human breast. Man never is, but always to be blest."
You may have heard this quote but not of its writer, 18th century poet Alexander Pope.
Pope is best known for his satirical verse,his translation of Homer and his use of the heroic couplet.
He visited Sherborne Castle in 1724 and was so impressed with the gardens he wrote a long description of them.
He particularly liked the shaded walk to the 'venerable broken walls' of the Old Castle by the river, the 'natural cascade, with never-ceasing murmurs' and the views of the 'glimmering waters'.
Here there was a 'rustic seat of stone, flagged and rough, with two urns in the same rude taste upon pedestals on each side'.
When an alcove in the grove was built the Digby family called it Pope's seat in honour of the poet.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here