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!”