Torquato Tasso rests within this tomb: 
    This figure weeping from her inmost heart
    Is Poesy:  from such impassioned grief
    Let every one conclude what this man was.

The epitaph which Chiabrera composed for himself has also an appropriate brevity and is distinguished for its grandeur, the sentiment being the same as that which the Reader has before seen so happily enlarged upon.

As I am brought back to men of first rate distinction and public benefactors, I cannot resist the pleasure of transcribing the metrical part of an epitaph which formerly was inscribed in the church of St. Paul’s to that Bishop of London who prevailed with William the Conqueror to secure to the inhabitants of the city all the liberties and privileges which they had enjoyed in the time of Edward the Confessor.

    These marble monuments to thee thy citizens assigne,
    Rewards (O Father) farre unfit to those deserts of thine: 
    Thee unto them a faithful friend, thy London people found,
    And to this towne of no small weight, a stay both sure and sound. 
    Their liberties restorde to them, by means of thee have beene,
    Their publicke weale by means of thee, large gifts have felt and seene: 
    Thy riches, stocke, and beauty brave, one hour hath them supprest,
    Yet these thy virtues and good deeds with us for ever rest.

Thus have I attempted to determine what a sepulchral inscription ought to be, and taken at the same time a survey of what epitaphs are good and bad, and have shewn to what deficiencies in sensibility and to what errors in taste and judgement most commonly are to be ascribed.  It was my intention to have given a few specimens from those of the ancients; but I have already I fear taken up too much of the Reader’s time.  I have not animadverted upon such, alas! far too numerous, as are reprehensible from the want of moral rectitude in those who have composed them or given it to be understood that they should he so composed; boastful and haughty panegyrics ludicrously contradicting the solid remembrance of those who knew the deceased; shocking the common sense of mankind by their extravagance, and affronting the very altar with their impious falsehood.  Those I leave to general scorn, not however without a general recommendation that they who have offended or may be disposed to offend in this manner, would take into serious thought the heinousness of their transgression.

Upon reviewing what has been written I think it better here to add a few favourable specimens such as are ordinarily found in our country church-yards at this day.  If those primary sensations upon which I have dwelt so much be not stifled in the heart of the Reader, they will be read with pleasure, otherwise neither these nor more exalted strains can by him be truly interpreted.

    Aged 87 and 83.

    Not more with silver hairs than virtue crown’d
    The good old pair take up this spot of ground: 
    Tread in their steps and you will surely find
    Their Rest above, below their peace of mind.