ALAS, POOR DICK!
OB. 1760.
AGED ELEVEN.
Beneath the inscriptions are two cross bones of birds, surmounted with a heart and death's head. The sculpture was made with a nail, by the hand of Hogarth, and placed there in memory of a favourite bullfinch, who is deposited beneath.
[35] This is Doctor Johnson's epitaph, and he wrote only four. He has broken his own rule, that the name should always be inserted in the body of the verse.
[36] The verses, as first written by Mr. Garrick, and now in the possession of Mr. James Townley, are as follows:—
"If thou hast genius, reader, stay;
If thou hast feeling, drop the tear;—
If thou hast neither,—hence, away,
For Hogarth's dear remains lie here.
His matchless works, of fame secure,
Shall live our country's pride and boast,