Where, blest in peace, the actions of the just
Smell sweet, and blossom in the silent dust.
SELF-WRITTEN.
MATTHEW PRIOR’S.
Painters and heralds, by your leave,
Here lie the bones of Matthew Prior,
The son of Adam and of Eve:—
Let Bourbon or Nassau go higher!
It is said (and the statement appears highly probable) that Prior borrowed his lines from the following very ancient epitaph upon a tombstone in Scotland:—
John Carnagie lies here,