University of Virginia Library

The Author's EPITAPH upon himself,
yet alive, but withdrawn from the busie
World to a Country-Life; to be supposed
written on his House.

HEre Passenger, beneath this Shed

Lies Cowley, though entomb'd, not dead;
Yet freed from human Toil and Strife,
And all th'Impertinence of Life;
Who in his Poverty is neat,
And even in Retirement, Great.
With Gold, the People's Idol, he
Holds endless War and Enmity.
Can you not say he has resign'd
His breath, to this small Cell confin'd?
With this small Mansion let him have
The Rest and Silence of the Grave:
Strew Roses here as on his Hearse,
And reckon this his funeral Verse:
With Wreaths of fragrant Herbs adorn
The yet surviving Poet's Urn.