The bust is the size of life; it is formed out of a block of soft stone, and was originally painted in imitation of nature. The hands and face were of flesh color, the eyes of a light hazel, and the hair and beard auburn; the doublet, or coat, was scarlet, and covered with a loose black gown, or tabard, without sleeves; the upper part of the cushion was green, the under half crimson, and the tassels gilt. After remaining in this state above one hundred and twenty years, Mr. John Ward, grandfather to Mrs. Siddons and Mr. Kemble, caused it to be repaired and the original colors preserved, in 1784, from the profits of the representation of "Othello." In 1793 Malone foolishly caused it to be painted white. In his right hand he holds a pen, and appears to be in the act of writing on a sheet of paper lying on the cushion in front of him. Beneath is a tablet containing the following inscription. The first two lines in Latin are translated as follows:-- In judgment a Nestor, in genius a Socrates, in arts a Maro; The earth covers him, the people mourn for him, Olympus has him. And next are those in English:-- STAY, PASSENGER, WHY GOEST THOU SO FAST? READ, IF THOU CAN'ST, WHOM ENVIOUS DEATH HATH PLAST WITHIN THIS MONUMENT,--SHAKESPEARE; WITH WHOME QUICK NATVRE DIDE; WHOSE NAME DOTH DECK YS TOMBE FAR MORE THAN COST; SIETH ALL YT HE HATH WRITT, LEAVES LIVING ART, BUT PAGE TO SERVE HIS WITT OBIIT ANO. DEI. 1616; ÆTATIS 53, DIE. 23 AP. Near the monument, and in the chancel, is a plain stone, beneath which the body lies buried; and upon it is the following inscription said to have been written by the poet himself:-- GOOD FREND, FOR IESVS SAKE FORBEARE TO DIGG THE DVST ENCLOASED HEARE; BLESETE BE YE. MAN YT. SPARES THES STONES, AND CVRST BE HE YT. MOVES MY BONES. In the charnel house of this ancient church are many human bones. These Shakespeare had doubtless often seen, and he probably shuddered at the idea that his own might be added to this promiscuous heap. This thought seems to have been present when he makes Hamlet ask: "Did these bones cost no more i' the breeding, but to play at loggats with them? _Mine ache to think on't._" This dislike perhaps influenced him to bestow a curse or a blessing, as future authorities might disturb or respect his remains. His wife lies beside him. On her gravestone is a brass plate, with the following inscription by an unknown author:-- HEERE LYETH INTERRED THE BODY OF ANNE, WIFE OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 6TH DAY OF AVGV: 1623, BEING OF THE AGE OF 67 YEARES. There is also a Latin verse, written by her daughter, and rendered into English as follows:--