EPICEDIUM

epicedium

goingorgone

(1827)

i

finemerryfranions,

wantoncompanions,

mydaysareev'nbanyans

withthinkinguponye;

howdeath,thatlaststinger,

finis-writer,end-bringer,

haslaidhischillfinger,

orislayingonye.

ii

there'srichkittywheatley,

withfootingitfeatly

thattookmecompletely,

shesleepsinthekirkhouse;

andpoorpollyperkin,

whosedadwasstillfirking

thejollyalefirkin,

she'sgonetothework-house;

iii

finegard'ner,bencarter

(intencountiesnosmarter)

hasta'enhisdeparture

forproserpine'sorchards;

andlily,postillion,

withcheeksofvermilion,

isoneofamillion

thatfillupthechurch-yards;

iv

and,lustyasdido,

fatclemitson'swidow

flitsnowasmallshadow

bystygianhidford;

andgoodmasterclapton

hasthirtyyearsnap'ton

thegroundhelasthap'ton,

intomb'dbyfairwidford;

v

andgallanttomdockwra,

ofnature'sfinestcrockery,

nowbutthinairandmockery,

lurksbyavernus,

whosehonestgraspofhand

still,whilehislifedidstand,

atfriend'sorfoe'scommand,

almostdidburnus.

vi

rogerdecoverley