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Inscription for the Grave of George Paterson, who hewed out the subterranean Caves at Gilmerton, Opus quinque annorum.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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Inscription for the Grave of George Paterson, who hewed out the subterranean Caves at Gilmerton, Opus quinque annorum.

I

He did not live upon the Earth,
Yet was no Antipode,
An Army could not lift his Bed,
Tho' only three Foot broad.

II

He liv'd, as now he lies, below,
But curst or blest we do not know,
To put upon Record.
His Labours, being rocky Stone,
Won't follow him now when he's gone,
Like those die in the Lord.

III

Th'Estate he left consists in Land,
On which the Sun ne'er shone,
No Bird or Beast did ever stand,
Or Grass did grow thereon.

IV

His Heritage is situate so,
'Twill last without all Doubt,
For all the Wind that e'er did blow
Could never find it out.

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V

It fears no Fire, it feels no Plow,
Was never wet with morning Dew,
Pays neither Cess nor Tiend.
Sure, Passenger, when this you read,
You'll think his Heirs have scarcely Bread,
Admire how they're maintain'd.