University of Virginia Library

Epitaphs.

ON A FARTHING-GATHERER.

Here lies Jamie Wight, who was wealthy and proud—
Few shar'd his regard, and far fewer his goud;
He lived unesteemed, and he died unlamented—
The Kirk gat his gear, and auld Jamie is sainted!

ON THOMAS BISSLAND.

A GENTLEMAN WHOM INDIGENCE NEVER SOLICITED IN VAIN.

Ever green be the sod o'er kind Tom of the Wood,
For the poor man he ever supplied;
We may weel say, alas! for our ain scant of grace,
That we reck'd not his worth till he died:
Though no rich marble bust mimics grief o'er his dust,
Yet fond memory his virtue will save;
Oft, at lone twilight hour, sad remembrance shall pour
Her sorrows, unfeigned, o'er his grave.

ON A CRABBED OLD MAID.

Here slaethorn Mary's hurcheon bouk
Resigns its fretful bristles:
And is she dead? No—reader, look,
Her grave 's o'ergrown wi' thistles.

ON SEEING A ONCE WORTHY CHARACTER LYING INEBRIATED ON THE STREET.

If loss of worth may draw the pitying tear,
Stop, passenger, and pay that tribute here—
Here lies, whom all with justice did commend,
The rich man's pattern, and the poor man's friend;
He cheer'd pale Indigence's bleak abode,
He oft remov'd Misfortune's galling load;
Nor was his bounty to one sect confin'd,
His goodness beam'd alike on all mankind:
Now, lost in folly, all his virtues sleep—
Let 's mind his former worth, and o'er his frailties weep.