2nd B. D.—Will you ha’ the truth on’t? If this had been a Roman relic of funeral pomp, it would have been a very different sort of Burial. The Romans raised not Barrows o’er their Dead.
1st B. D.—Why there thou say’st: and the more pity that great folks shall countenance the grandeur of gaudy funerals, more than their poorer neighbours. To my mind they are mighty like representations of Death carrying off his wealthy victims in Triumph. Come my spade, There are no antient gentlemen, but Gardeners Geologists, and Barrow Diggers; they hold up Adam’s profession.
3rd B. D.—Was he a Gentleman?
1st B. D.—He was the first that ever bore Arms, a mattoc shovel, and a spade.
2nd B. D.—Why he had none.
1st B. D.—What, art a heathen? How dost thou understand the Scripture? The scripture says, Adam digged. Could he dig without arms? I’ll put another question to thee; if thou answerest me not to the purpose, confess thyself.
3rd B. D.—Go to work.
After having taken an observation with a Compass, and marked out a section, they commence opening the Barrow.
1st B. D.—What is that earthly form all skin and bone, which eludes the Sexton, the Mason, and the Carpenter?
2nd B. D.—The Living Skeleton, for that fragile frame outlives a thousand Harry’s.