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Ode To Willie Gee

... or more ruff people.

 

The memorial to William Gee and his two wives, Thomasina and Maria, and six children in the south quire aisle in York Minster. The panel underneath has a charming little ode to Sir William, with a sting in the tail:

 

Stay Gentle Passenger and Read

A Sentence Sent Thee From Ye Dead

 

Ye Wisdome, Wealth, Honor or Honesty

Chastity, Zeale, Faith, Hope or Charity

If Universal Learning, Language, Law

Pure Piety, Religions Reverend Awe

Firme Friends, Fayre Issue; if A Virtuous Wife

A Quiet Conscience, A Contented Life

The Clergies Prayers or Ye Poor Mans Tears

Could Have Lent Length To Mans Determined Years

Sure As Ye Eat Which For Our Fault We Fear

Proud Death Had Nere Advanced This Trophy Here

In It Behold Thy Doom Thy Tombe Provide

Sir William Gee Had All These Pleas(ures) Yet Died

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Uploaded on June 21, 2018
Taken on June 20, 2018