[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR. "] SIR,—The epitaph in Bakewell
churchyard on Philip, our late parish clerk, quoted by "M." in the Spectator of the 28th inst., is correct, so far as it goes. Two lines have, however, dropped out of his recollection, which I am glad to supply from my note- book, copied on the spot some years ago. After " amen " should come :—
" Who now with Hallelujah's sound Like him can make the roofs rebound ?"
"The peaceful shrine," last line but one, should read, "thy peaceful," &c.
I wonder if " M." copied another epitaph, nearly illegible, in the same churchyard ? If not, I venture to offer it to him from my note-book.
"Know posterity, that on the 8th of April in the year of Grace, 1737, the rambling remains of the above said John Dale were in the 86th year of his pilgrimage laid upon his two wives.
This thing in life might raise some jealousy, Here all three lie together lovingly. But from embraces here no pleasure flows, Alike are here all human joys and woes. Here, Sarah's chiding John no longer hears. Here, old John's rambling Sarah no more fears, A period's come to all their toilsome lives, The good man's quiet, still are both his wives."
I copied this in 1858, but have not seen the tomb since.—I am, Sir, &c., Frown Hall, Oxford, June 30th. EDWARD Curium.
Previous page
