The poet used the 1786 edition as a sort of quarry for his later editions. He used thirteen stanzas for "The Sexton's Sermon," q.v.; stanzas 39-43 were reprinted in the 1809 edition in connection with stanzas 35-38 of "Santa Cruz" and entitled "Elegiac Lines"; stanza 79 became stanza one and 55 stanza two of the "Hessian Embarkation," and stanza 49 was inserted after stanza 90 of the 1809 version of "Santa Cruz." THE JAMAICA FUNERAL[157] 1776 1 Alcander died--the rich, the great, the brave; Even such must yield to heaven's severe decree, Death, still at hand, conducts us to the grave, And humbles monarchs as he humbled thee. 2 When, lingering, to his end Alcander drew, Officious friends besieg'd his lofty door, Impatient they the dying man to view And touch that hand they soon must touch no more. 3 "Alas, he's gone!" the sad attendants cry, Fled is the breath that never shall return-- "Alas! he's gone!" his tearful friends reply, "Spread the dark crape, and round his pale corpse mourn. 4 "Ye that attend the pompous funeral, due, "In sable vestments let your limbs be clad, "For vulgar deaths a common sorrow shew, "But costly griefs are for the wealthy dead. 5 "Prepare the blessings of the generous vine, "Let bulls and oxen groan beneath the steel, "Throughout the board let choicest dainties shine, "To every guest a generous portion deal." 6 A mighty crowd approach'd the mourning dome, Some came to hear the sermon and the prayer, Some came to shun Xantippe's voice at home, And some with Bacchus to relieve their care. 7 A Levite came, and sigh'd among the rest, A rusty band and tatter'd gown he wore, His leaves he tumbled, and the house he blest, And conn'd his future sermon o'er and o'er. 8 And oft a glance he cast towards the wine That briskly sparkled in the glassy vase, And often drank, and often wish'd to dine, And red as Phoebus glow'd his sultry face. 9 Much did he chatter, and on various themes, He publish'd news that came from foreign climes, He told his jests, and told his last year's dreams, And quoted dull stuff from lord Wilmot's rhymes. 10 And dunn'd the mourners for his parish dues With face of brass, and scrutinizing eye, And threaten'd law-suits if they dar'd refuse To pay his honest earnings punctually. 11 An honest sire, who came in luckless hour To hear the sermon and to see the dead, Presuming on this consecrated hour, Ventur'd to check the parson on that head. 12 Quoth he, "My priest, such conduct is not fit, "For other speech this solemn hour demands: "What if your parish owes its annual debt, "Your parish ready to discharge it stands." 13