The epitaphs in the church are numerous--some curious, and all more or less illustrative of feelings by which, in general, the mourners were actuated, and of times when a mixture of classic taste and monkish superstition was the chief characteristic. Out of the many, that which follows is selected as a specimen. It is taken from a brass plate, on a stone in the body of the church, and has often been copied. (Histor. and Antiq. of Tewkes.) “In hoc Tumulo sepulta jacet Amia uxor Johannis Wiatt, Tewkesburiensis generosi, quæ spiritum exhalavit xxv August., Ao. Dni.” [Year effaced.] It is an acrostic--_Amie Wiatt._ In cujus obitum versiculos perlegito subsequentes. <g>A</g>: A me disce mori, mors est sors omnibus una; <g>M</g>: Mortis et esca fui mortis et esca fores. <g>I</g>: In terram ex terra terrestris massa meabis; <g>E</g>: Et capiet cineres urna parata cinis. <g>V</g>: Vivere vis cœlo, terrenam temnite vitam: <g>V</g>: Vita pijs mors est; mors mihi vita pia. <g>J</g>: Jejunes, vigiles, ores, credasq potenti, <g>A</g>: Ardua fac: non est mollis ad astra via. <g>T</g>: Te Scriptura vocat, te sermo, ecclesia Mater. <g>T</g>: Teque vocat Sponsus, Spiritus atque Pater. <g>N.B. The Area</g> consists of a grand principal aisle or nave, a transept or cross aisle, and two spacious side aisles, somewhat lower than the main body of the church, and separated from the nave by two rows of massive pillars. Also a handsome semicircular aisle surrounding the chancel, from the north to the south ends of the transepts, in which are the vestry (where the abbey records were formerly kept), several recesses and chapels dedicated to the founder, the benefactors, and other persons of distinction, with several Gothic tombs of splendid execution. We _recapitulate_ these as the chief features of the Area. Taking his position in the centre of the chancel, the stranger commands the most imposing features in the church; the rich groined roof, the bold massive pillars, the richly-sculptured tombs, the painted windows, blazoned shields, emblematic groups and Gothic inscriptions--all strike the mind with feelings of deep solemnity, and carry us back into the gorgeous imagery of the middle ages. Well may we exclaim with Quintilian--“En morti sacratos lapides!”--See, _ante_, p. 169. <g>There</g>, in their sepulchres of costly art, Where still the gold clings to the Parian stone, Legend and shield and effigy impart The accumulated fame of ages flown, O’er sainted dust the classic wreath is strewn. But now no mass is said--no requiem sung, The priest is mute, the choristers are gone; No votive “rose” upon the shrine is hung, No flowers upon the FOUNDER’S tomb are flung.