SOME WILLS IN RHYME

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 57, 4 September 1937, Page 27

SOME WILLS IN RHYME

The following will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, in 1742 (says the "News Chronicle"):-^

"The first day of May Being merry and gay, To Hyp not inclined, But of vigorous mind; But my body in health, I'll dispose of my wealth, And all I'm to leave On this side of the grave To some one or other, I think to my brother. But because I foresaw That my brethren-in-law, If I did not take care, Would come in for their share, Which I no wise intended, Till their manners are mended (And of that, God knows, there's no

sign), I do, therefore, enjoin, And do strictly command (Of which witness my hand), That nought I have got Be brpught in/to hotchpot; But I give and devise As much as in me lies, To the son of my mother, My own dear brother,

To have; and to fepld Ail my silver and gold, &s the affectionate pledges Of his brother-r-John Hedges." William Hunnis, a gentleman of the chapel under' King Edward VI, and afterwards chapel-master to Queen Elizabeth, left the following whimsical w.ill:^— "To God my soule I do bequeath, because it is His own; My body to bg layd in grave where to my friends best known; Executors I will none make, thereby great strife may grow, Because the goods that I shall leave will not pay all I owe." Joshua West, who was known in his time as "the Poet of the Six Clerk's Office," made his will in rhyme in 1804:— "Perhaps I die not worth, a groat, But should I die worth something more, Then I give that and my best coat, And all my manuscripts in store, To those who will the goodness have To cause my poor remains to rest Within a decent shell and grave— This is the will of Joshua West."