Note 624 — JUVENAL'S SATIRES. (continued 2)
Lewis Evans translation
Sarcophago. A stone was found at Assos, near Troy, which was said to possess the property of consuming the flesh of bodies inclosed in it within the space of forty days, hence called σαρκοφάγος. Plin., ii., 96; xxxvi., 17. Cf. Henry's speech to Hotspur's body:
"Ill-weaved ambition, how much art thou shrunk! When that this body did contain a spirit, A kingdom for it was too small a bound: But now, two paces of the vilest earth Is room enough."
So Hall:
"Fond fool! six feet shall serve for all thy store, And he that cares for most shall find no more."
And Shirley:
"How little room do we take up in death, That, living, knew no bounds!"
And Webster's Duchess of Malfy:
"Much you had of land and rent; Your length in clays's now competent."
So K. Henry VI.:
"And of all my lands Is nothing left me but my body's length."
And Dryden's Antony:
"The place thou pressest on thy mother Earth Is all thy empire now."
Cf. Æsch., S. Theb., 731. Soph., Œd. Col., 789. Shakspeare's Richard II., Act iii., sc. 2.