A Collection of Epitaphs and Monumental Inscriptions, Historical, Biographical, Literary, and Miscellaneous Volume 1; To Which Is Prefixed, an Essay on Epitaphs (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1806 Excerpt: ... where he used to lie on a hill and sleep, with his head on a stone. This old man was very hardly used by the Committee in those times, for lying in the Cathedral and in the Church Porches, where he vsed to repeat the Common Prayer to the people in spite of their ill treatment, he being often sent to bridewell and whipt for it. He died during the usurpation ofO. Cromwell, 1630... Here in this homely cabinet, Resteth a poor old anchoret; Upon the ground he lay all weathers, Not as most men, goose like, on feathers. For so indeed it came to pass, The Lord of Lords his Landlord was. He liv'd, instead of wainscot rooms, Like the possess'd, amongst the tombs; As by some spirit thither led, To be acquainted with the dead. Each morning from his bed so hallow'd, He rose, took up his cross, and follow'd; To every porch he did repair, To vent himself in Common Prayer;.... Wherein he was alone devout, When preaching justled praying out; In such procession through the city, Maugre the devil and committee, He daily went, for which he fell, Not into Jacob's, but Bridewell, Where you might see his loyal back, Red letter'd like an Almanack; Or I may rather else aver, Dominick't like a Calender; And him triumphing at that harm, Having nought else to keep it warm J With Paul he always pray'd, no wonder, The lash did keep his flesh still under; Yet whipcord seem'd to lose its sting, When for the church or for the king; High loyalty in such a dearth Could baffle torments with mean earth, And tho' such sufferings he did pass, In spite of bonds still Freeman was: 'Tis well his pate was weather proof, The palace like, it had no roof; The hair was off, and 'twas the fashion, The crown being under sequestration; Tho' bald as Time, and Mendicant, No Friar yet, but Protestant. His h...