Gleanings in Graveyards: A Collection of Curious EpitaphsNorfolk, Horatio Edward
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Gleanings in Graveyards: A Collection of Curious Epitaphs
Norfolk, Horatio Edward
Epitaphs; Epitaphs -- Great Britain
Hic jacet Jacobus Straw,
Who forty years, Sir, followed the law,
And when he died,
The Devil cried,
“Jemmy, gie’s your paw.”
* * * * *
On Robert Sleath.
Who kept the turnpike at Worcester, and was noted for having once
demanded toll of George III., when his Majesty was going on a visit to
Bishop Hurd.
On Wednesday last, old Robert Sleath
Passed through the turnpike gate of death.
To him would death no toll abate,
Who stopped the King at Wor’ster gate.
* * * * *
On Ned Purdon.
Here lies poor Ned Purdon, from misery free
Who long was a bookseller’s hack.
He led such a damnable life in this world
I don’t think he’ll ever come back.
* * * * *
On Stephen Remnant.
Here’s a Remnant of life, and a Remnant of death,
Taken off both at once in a Remnant of breath.
To mortality this gives a happy release,
For what was the Remnant, proves now the whole piece.
* * * * *
A form of enigmatical epitaph is in Llandham Churchyard, Anglesea, and
has been frequently printed. From the _Cambrian Register_, 1795 (Vol. I.
p. 441), I learn that it was translated by Jo. Pulestone, Feb. 5, 1666.
The subject of it was Eva, daughter of Meredidd ap Rees ap Howel, of
Bodowyr, and written by Arthur Kynaston, of Pont y Byrsley, son of
Francis Kynaston.
Here lyes, by name, the world’s mother,
By nature, my aunt, sister to my mother;
My grandmother, mother to my mother;
My great grandmother, mother to my grandmother;
My grandfather’s daughter and his mother;
All which may rightly be,
Without the breach of consanguinity.
* * * * *
On Robert Pemberton.
Here lies _Robin_, but not _Robin Hood_;
Here lies _Robin_ that never did good;
Here lies _Robin_ by heaven forsak’n;
Here lies _Robin_—the devil may tak’n.
* * * * *
On a Stay Maker.
Alive, unnumber’d stays he made,
(He work’d industrious night and day;)
E’en dead he still pursues his trade,
For here _his bones will make a stay_.
* * * * *
Brevity of life.
Man’s life’s a vapour,
And full of woes;
He cuts a caper,
And down he goes.
* * * * *
By Boileau, the Poet.
Here lies my wife, and Heaven knows,
Not less for mine, than her repose!
* * * * *
Here lies poor Thomas, and his Wife,
Who led a pretty jarring life;
But all is ended—do you see?
He holds his tongue, and so does she.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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