Here Lies

As mentioned in my first upload today, the Stanley Burial Ground opened in 1827 and its last burial was in 1997. It's such a beautiful location and catches the evening sun. You can hear a brief historical account in this audio tour:

www.stanleyheritagewalk.com.au/en/locations/10/

 

There is a long tradition of people collecting epitaphs. This article I find fascinating because it describes the grave of one of my favourite poets, John Keats. Keats was buried in Italy just six years before the first burial here at Stanley. On his gravestone we read these words (you can read it in full on the link):

"Here lies one whose name was writ in water."

www.theparisreview.org/blog/2016/02/23/writ-in-water/

 

There is also a wonderful epitaph written by Robbie Burns for a friend:

 

"An honest man here lies at rest,

As e’er God with His image blest:

The friend of man, the friend of truth;

The friend of age, and guide of youth:

Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d,

Few heads with knowledge so inform’d:

If there’s another world, he lives in bliss;

If there is none, he made the best of this."

 

Of course there are some funny ones too: www.et.byu.edu/~tom/jokes/Funny_Epitaphs.html

 

Here are two of my favourites:

 

"A lawyer's epitaph in England:

 

Sir John Strange

Here lies an honest lawyer,

And that is Strange."

 

"Someone determined to be anonymous in Stowe, Vermont:

 

I was somebody.

Who, is no business

Of yours."

Done