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

270 PEEBLESSHIRE.
" Here lies a girl who died into her prime,
Shined full bright, though now she's not in time ;
But yet shall shine more bright, in glorious ray,
When comes the morning of eternal day/'
The following lines commemorate James Hall, tenant in Eshels,
who died on the 7th July, 1754, aged eighty-one; and his wife
Isabel Laidlaw, who died in July, 1820, aged thirty-nine : —
" Forbear, fond man, and weep no more, 'tis vain,
When heaven decrees 'tis folly to complain ;
This worldly mass is subject to decay.
And death and nature all things must obey.
The blushing rose smiles with the morning sun.
Just then looks gay, now withers and is gone.
Tlien why, poor mortal, dost thou weep and cry ?
Think what thou art, and be content to die.
Pardon my sin, Almighty God, I pray,
Forgive me all, then take me hence away ;
Then my triumphant soul shall upwards fly.
And leave with joy this worldly vanity.
A cowherd is celebrated thus : —
" Thomas Stoddart,
Lyes here interr'd,
Who liv'd and dy'd
An honest herd."
On a tombstone beneath the representation of an hour-glass are
these lines : —
" In sign of this stone John Johnston gave
To stand at Helen Hall his dear wife's grave."
The following rhymes are also to be found in Peebles Church-
yard : —
" Just as a flower fuU blown at noon
Lies dead before the setting sun,
Just in the bloom of life cut down.
Was she that lies beneath this stone.
Pteader, prepare to follow me."