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The Levelled Churchyard

 "O passenger, pray list and catch 
 Our sighs and piteous groans, 
Half stifled in this jumbled patch 
 Of wrenched memorial stones! 

"We late-lamented, resting here, 
 Are mixed to human jam, 
And each to each exclaims in fear, 
 'I know not which I am!' 

"The wicked people have annexed 
 The verses on the good; 
A roaring drunkard sports the text 
 Teetotal Tommy should! 

"Where we are huddled none can trace, 
 And if our names remain, 
They pave some path or p-ing place 
 Where we have never lain! 

"There's not a modest maiden elf 
 But dreads the final Trumpet, 
Lest half of her should rise herself, 
 And half some local strumpet! 

"From restorations of Thy fane, 
 From smoothings of Thy sward, 
From zealous Churchmen's pick and plane 
 Deliver us O Lord! Amen!"






Book: Reflection on the Important Things