Gleanings in Graveyards Part 21

Who, in Berks.h.i.+re was well known To love his country's freedom like his own, But being immured full twenty years, Had time to write as doth appear.

MATHERN.

John Lee is dead, that good old man, You ne'er will see him more, He used to wear an old brown Coat, All b.u.t.toned down before.

Here lyeth entombed the body of Theodoric, King of Morganuch, or Glamorgan, commonly called St. Theodoric, and accounted a martyr, because he was slain in a battle against the Saxons (being then Pagans) and in defence of the Christian religion. The battle was fought at Tynterne, where he obtained a great victory. He died here, being on his way homewards, three days after the battle; having taken order with Maurice his son, who succeeded him in the kingdom, that in the same place he should happen to decease, a church should be built and his body buried in the same, which was accordingly performed in the year 600.

Norfolk.

HOTHILL.

Miles Branthwaite.

If Death would take an answer, he was free From all those seats of ills that he did see, And gave no measure that he would not have Given to him as hardly as he gave: Then thou, Miles Branthwaite, might have answer'd Death, And to be so moral might boyle breath, Thou wast not yet to die. But be thou blest, From weary life thou art gone quiet to rest, Joy in the freedom from a prison, thou Wast by G.o.d's hands pluckt out but now, Free from the dust and cobwebs of this vale; And richer art thou by the heavenly bail Than he that shut thee up. This heap of stones To thy remembrance, and to chest thy bones, Thy wife doth consecrate; so sleep till then, When all graves must open, all yield up their men.

NORWICH.

Thomas Legge.

That love that living made us two but one, Wishes at last we both may have this tomb.

The head of Gostlin still continues here, As kept for Legge, to whom it was so dear.

By death he lives, for ever to remain, And Gostlin hopes to meet him once again.

Sarah York this life did resigne On May the 13th, 79.

Here lies the body of honest Tom Page, Who died in the 33rd year of his age.

On Bryant Lewis, who was barbarously murdered upon the heath near Thetford, Sept. 13, 1698.

Fifteen wide wounds this stone veils from thine eyes, But reader, hark their voice doth pierce the skies.

Vengeance, cried Abel's blood against cursed Cain, But better things spake Christ when he was slain.

Both, both, cries Lewis 'gainst his barbarous foes, Blood, Lord, for blood, but save his soul from woe,

John Powl.

Though Death hath seized on me as his prey, Yet all must know we have a judgment day, Therefore whilst life on earth in you remain, Praise all your G.o.d who doth your lives maintain, That after death to glory he may us raise, Yield to His Majesty honour, laud, and praise.

Henry Hall.

The phnix of his time Lies here but sordid clay; His thoughts were most sublime; His soul is sprung away.

Then let this grave keep in protection His ashes until the resurrection,

Urith Leverington.

The night is come; for sleep, lo! here I stay, My three sweet babes sleep here-we wait for day.

That we may rise, and up to bliss ascend, Where crowns and thrones, and robes shall us attend.

Thy worst is past, O Death; thous't done thy part, Thou could'st but kill, we fear no second dart.

SWANTON MORLEY.

Thos Heming-Attorney.

Weep, widows, orphans; all your late support, Himself is summon'd to a higher court: Living he pleaded yours, but with this clause, That Christ at death should only plead his cause.

COYSTWICK.

Mrs. Sarah Mills, Mrs. Rebecca Ward.

Under this stone, in easy slumber lies Two dusty bodies, that at last shall rise: Their parted atoms shall again rejoin, Be cast into new moulds by hands divine.

HENNINGHALL.

John Kett.

Though we did live so many years, Prepare, O youth, for Death, For if he should at noon appear, You must give up your breath.