Littell's Living Age/Volume 155/Issue 2004/Two Epitaphs

["Memento mori." "Gedenke zu Leben."]

of Death!" the gravestones say, —    "Peace to Life's mad striving!" But the churchyard daisies, — "Nay, Think of Living!"

"Think of Life!" the sunbeams say, O'er the dial flying; But the slanting shadows, — "Nay,    Think of Dying!"

"Think of Death!" the night-birds say, On the storm-blast driving; But the building swallows, —" Nay,    Think of Living!"

"Think of Life!" the broad winds say, Through the old trees sighing; But the whirling leaf-dance, — " Nay,    Think of Dying!"

"Think of Death!"the sad bells say, Fateful record giving; Clash the merry Yule-peal, —" Nay,    Think of Living!"

Dying, Living, glad, or loth, On God's Rood relying; Pray he fit us all for both, — Living, Dying! Granborough Vicarage, Bucks.