University of Virginia Library

Inscription on the Cave at Gilmerton.

Upon the earth thrives villainy and woe,
But happiness and I do dwell below;
My hands hewed out this rock into a cell,
Wherein from din of life I safely dwell:
On Jacob's pillow nightly lies my head;
My house when living, and my grave when dead:
Inscribe upon it when I'm dead and gone,
I liv'd and dy'd within my mother's womb.