File:St Leonards church, Butleigh - Hood monument (geograph 3153865).jpg

Divided far by death were they whose names
in honour here united as in birth
this monumental verse records they drew
among the western hills their natal breath
and from those shores beheld the ocean first
whereon in early youth with one accord
they chose their way of fortune; to that course
by HOOD and BRIDPORT's bright example drawn
their kinsmen, children of this place, and sons
of one who in his faithful ministry
inculcated within these hallowed walls
the truths of mercy to mankind reveal'd
worthy were these three brethren each to add
new honour to the already honoured name
but Arthur in the morning of his day
perished amid the Caribbean Sea
when the Pomona by a hurricane
whirled, Riven, and overwhelmed with all her crew
into the deep went down, a longer date
to Alexander was assigned for hope
for fair ambition, and for fond regret
alas how short for duty, for dessert
sufficing, and while time preserves the roll
of Britain's Naval feats, for good report
a boy with Cook he rounded the Globe.
A youth in many celebrated fight
with Rodney had his part; and having reach'd
life's middle stage, engaging ship to ship,
when the French Hercules, a gallant foe,
struck to the British Mars his three striped flag,
he fell in the moment of his victory
here his remains in sure and certain hope
are laid until the hour when earth and sea
shall render up their dead. One brother yet
survived, with Keppel, and with Rodney train'd
in battles with the Lord of Nile approved,
'ere in command he worthily upheld
old England's high prerogative in the East,
the West, the Baltic and the Midland Seas
yea wheresoever hostile fleets have plough's
the ensanguin'd deep his thunders have been heard,
his flag in brave defiance has been seem
and bravest enemies at Sir Samuel's name
felt fatal presage in their inmost heart
of unavertable defeat fordoom'd
thus in the paths of glory he rode on
victorious, always adding praise to praise,
till full of honours, not of years, beneath
the venom of the infected clime he sunk
on Coromandel's Coast, completing there
his service only when his life was spent.
To the three brethren Alexander's son
(sole scion he in whom their line survived)
with English feeling and the deeper sense
of filial duty consecrates this tomb.