Page:Devonshire Characters and Strange Events.djvu/232

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
180
DEVONSHIRE CHARACTERS

EPITAPH ON F. FLOOD’S LEGS

Buried in Saltford Churchyard


Stop Reader, and a Wonder See,
As strange as e'er was known!
My Feet drop'd off from my Body,
In the Middle of the Bone.
I had no Surgeon for my Help
But God Almighty's Aid,
In Whom I ever will rely
And never be afraid.
Though here beneath (the Mold) they lie
Corruption for to see,
Yet they shall one Day reunite
To all Eternity.

The last line might have been amended to—

And walk away with me.

This curious tract is entitled The Devonshire Woman: or a Wonderful Narrative of Frances Flood. It bears no date, but is of about 1724. At the end stands: "Printed for Frances Flood, and sold by Nobody but herself."

In fact, the poor creature went about on crutches selling the story of her misfortunes. The tract is very scarce, but there is a copy in the British Museum.