Page 45 - Graveyard

G r av e y ar d H u m o r | 43

turned in her favour by the unmanly assault which is made upon her by her
brother, who is the author of the epitaph.

79. From Marnhull Churchyard:—

I in great haste was snatched away,
Scarce having time to read or pray.
Read as a warning with me to try
And always be prepared to die.

80. By Robert Herrick on Ben Jonson, who was born in 1574 and
died in 1637.

Here lies Jonson with the rest
Of the poets, but the best.
Reader, would’st thou more have known?
Ask his story, not the stone;
That will speak what this can’t tell
Of his glory; so farewell!

81. From a Scotch Graveyard:—

Here lies interr’d a man o’ micht,
His name was Malcolm Downie;
He lost his life, ae market nicht,
By fa’in’ off his pownie.

82. By Dr. Goldsmith, on Thomas Parnell, the Poet: born in 1679;
died, 1717.

This tomb, inscribed to gentle Parnell’s name,
May speak our gratitude, but not his fame.
What art but feels his sweetly moral lay,
That leads to truth through pleasure’s flow’ry way?
Celestial themes confess’d his tuneful aid;
And heaven, that lent him genius, was repaid.
Needless to him the tribute we bestow,