AN OLD EPITAPH.
In "Geeta Romanorum," 1473, there is a tale of a Roman emperor who built a magnificent palace. When digging the foundation the workmen: discovered a golden sarcophagus ornamented by three circlets, on which were inscribed: "I have expended; I have given; I have kept; I have possessed; I do possess; I have lost; I am punished; what I formerly expended I have; what I gave away I have." The epitaph of Robert Byrkes, in Doncaster Church, runs:— "Howe: Howe; who is heare: I Robin of Doncaster, and Margaret my feare. That I spent, that I had; That I gave, that I have; That I left, that I lost." Variations of the epitaph appear on a brass in St. Olaves, Hart Street, London; at Pitson, Bucks, and elbewhere. On a very old stone in Scotland it appears in the following form:— "It that I gife, I haif, It that I len, I craif, It that I spend, is wyne, x It that I lief, I tyne."
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Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 263, 5 November 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)
Word Count
168AN OLD EPITAPH. Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 263, 5 November 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)
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