Epitaph on Don Francisco


 * An Epitaph. 
 * Here lieth the Body of Colonel
 * DON FRANCISCO;
 * Who, with inflexible Constancy,
 * And inimitable Uniformity of Life,

Persisted, in Spite of Age and Infirmity,
 * In the Practice of every human Vice,
 * Excepting Prodigality and Hypocrisy;
 * His insatiable Avarice
 * Exempting him from the first,
 * And his matchless Impudence
 * From the latter.
 * Nor was he more singular
 * In that undeviating Viciousness of Life,
 * Than successful in accumulating Wealth;
 * Having,
 * Without Trust of public Money, Bribe,
 * Worth, Service, Trade, or Profession,
 * Acquired, or rather created
 * A Ministerial Estate.

Among the Singularities of his Life and Fortune
 * Be it likewise commemorated,
 * That he was the only Person in his Time
 * Who could cheat without the Mask of Honesty;
 * Who could retain his primaeval Meanness
 * After being possessed of 10,000 Pounds a Year;
 * And who, having done, every Day of his Life,
 * Something worthy of a Gibbet,
 * Was once condemned to one
 * For what he had not done.
 * Think not, indignant Reader,
 * His Life, useless to Mankind.
 * PROVIDENCE
 * Favoured, or rather connived at
 * His execrable Designs,
 * That he might remain,
 * To this, and future Ages,
 * A conspicuous Proof and Example
 * Of how small Estimation

Exorbitant Wealth is held in the Sight
 * Of the ALMIGHTY,
 * By his bestowing it on
 * The most unworthy
 * Of all the Descendants
 * of Adam.