Volume 2 / Part 2 / Act 1 — O
Reading edition
TWO VERSIONS OF THE EPITAPH[1088:1]
Inscribed in a copy of Grew's Cosmologia Sacra (1701)
[Vide ante, p. 491.]
1
Epitaph in Hornsey Church yard Hic Jacet S. T. C.
Stop, Christian Passer-by! Stop, Child of God! And read with gentle heart. Beneath this sod There lies a Poet: or what once was He. [Up] O lift thy soul in prayer for S. T. C. That He who many a year with toil of breath 5 Found death in life, may here find life in death. Mercy for praise, to be forgiven for fame He ask'd, and hoped thro' Christ. Do thou the same.
2
Etesi's [for Estesi's] Epitaph.
Stop, Christian Visitor! Stop, Child of God, Here lies a Poet: or what once was He! [O] Pause, Traveller, pause and pray for S. T. C. [1089] That He who many a year with toil of Breath Found Death in Life, may here find Life in Death. 5 And read with gentle heart! Beneath this sod There lies a Poet, etc.
'Inscription on the Tomb-stone of one not unknown; yet more commonly known by the Initials of his Name than by the Name itself.'
ESTEESE'S αυτοεπιταφιον[1089:1]
(From a copy of the Todten-Tanz which belonged to Thomas Poole.)
Here lies a Poet; or what once was he: Pray, gentle Reader, pray for S. T. C. That he who threescore years, with toilsome breath, Found Death in Life, may now find Life in Death.