Among the old English Epitaphs we may, however, give many instances which possess both great beauty and depth of meaning.
Among these is the Epitaph of "Florens Caldwell, Esq., and Mary his wife:"—
"Earth goes to earth, as mold to mold;
Earth treads on earth glittering in gold;
Earth as to earth returne ne'er should,
Earth shall to earth goe e'er he would;
Earth upon earth consider may;
Earth goes to earth naked away;—
Earth tough on earth be stout and gay,
Shall from earth pass poor away.
Be merciful and charitable,
Relieve the poor as thou art able.
A shrowd to thy grave
Is all thou shalt have."
On a tombstone, inscribed without a name, is the following, given by Webb:—
"Look, man, before thee, how thy death hasteth;
Look, man, behind thee, how thy life wasteth;
Look on thy right side, how death thee desireth;
Look on the left side, how sin thee beguileth;
Look, man, above,—the joys that ever shall last;
Look, man, beneath thee,—the pains without rest."
