Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/536

 MATTHEW PRIOR

In the midst of her age came a cruel disease

Which neither her juleps nor receipts could appease;

So down dropp'd her clay may her Soul be at peace !

Retire from this sepulchre all the profane,

You that love for debauch, or that marry for gain,

Retire lest ye trouble the Manes of J -.

But thou that know'st love above interest or lust, Strew the myrtle and rose on this once belov'd dust, And shed one pioub tear upon Jinny the Just.

Tread soft on her grave, and do right to hei honor, Let neither rude hand nor ill tongue light upon her, Do all the small favors that now can be done her

And when what thou lik'd shall return to her clay, For so Pm persuaded she must do one day Whatever fantastic J[ohn] Asgill may say When as I have done now, thou shalt set up a stone For something however distinguished or known, May some pious friend the misfortune bemoan, And make thy concern by reflexion his own.

��439 F r m y own Monument

AS doctors give physic by way of prevention, JL\L Mat, alive and in health, of his tombstone took care, For delays are unsafe, and his pious intention May haply be never fulfill'd by his heir.

Then take Mat's word for it, the sculptor is paid;

That the figure is fine, pray believe your own eye; Yet credit but lightly what more may be said,

For we flatter ourselves, and teach marble to lie. 504.

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