Grampian Club > Monuments and monumental inscriptions in Scotland > Volume 1

56 EDINBURGHSHIRE.
Only their death, sure, leaveth such a smart.
That griefs engraven on the parents' heart."
The following lines commemorated a youth who died in 1699 : —
" death, grave, why so severe ?
E'en youth must see thy look austere,
This young man did by living die,
By death he lives eternally."
Here is an epitaph alike pervaded by sentiment and poetry : —
" You'll say, alas, he's dead ! he cannot die ;
He's only changed to immortality.
Weep not for him who has no cause of tears,
Hush then your sighs and calm your needless fears ;
Eun such a race as you again may meet,
You'll find your conversation far more sweet,
When purged from dross, you shall unmix'd possess
The purest essence of eternal bliss."
The following is composed creditably : —
" By Him whose conquests through the world are known,
I to my first original am thrown.
My earth lies here, my better part's above,
And lives, — so I, not death, the conqu'ror prove.
Yet lest the stingless terror boast
Of what he's won, and what he thinks I lost.
He that's almighty and for ever true,
Engaged this dust should rise and conquer too !
What I possess secures me what's to come,
My clay shall be refined, then sent for home."
The Eev, James Hall, who died 8th December, 1781, is thus
commemorated : —
" Blameless in life, e'en in his early youth
Unknown to wander from the paths of truth.
He lived ; but did not live on bread alone.
The word of God his comfort, heaven his home.
His constant aim the love of Christ to win,
A friend to sinners, yet abhorred their sin ;
Firm to the truth by sacred influence moved,
Mild yet severe, even in reproof beloved ;
This to thine honour, more than this thy due.
On earth the Christian's life was shown in you."