EPITAPH
Reading edition
In St. Modwen's Churchyard at Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, the following inscription has been copied from the tombstone of a deaf and dumb man:—
This Stone Was raised by Subscription To the Memory of Thomas Stokes, An eccentric and much-respected deaf and dumb man, Better known by the name of Dumb Tom, Who departed this life Feb. 25th, 1837, Aged 57 years.
"What man can pause, and charge the senseless dust With fraud, or subtlety, or aught unjust? How few can conscientiously declare Their acts have been as honourably fair? No gilded bait, no heart ensnaring meed, Could bribe poor Stokes to one dishonest deed: Firm in attachment, to his friends most true— Though deaf and dumb he was excell'd by few. Go ye, by nature formed, without defect, And copy Tom, and gain as much respect."