112 Obsequy, 



But lay me aneath my native trees, 



Where the waving boughs are wreathed ; 



And let no sound but the sighing breeze 

 Be o'er my burial breathed. 



Let no proud priest in hollow slang 



Blaspheme or blatter nigh me: 

 Nor senseless stave, nor nasal twang, 



Be drawl'd or drivel'd by me. 



But let the Winter Redbreast sing 



His hymn of Resignation ; 

 Or the full-throated choir of Spring 



Shout peals of Jubilation. 



Let no friend's hand be flimsy-gloved. 



No silk-bands sick declining: 

 But wear the sunny flowers I loved, 



Or ivy green and shining. 



Let not my name on staring stone 



With loud bare lies be worded : 

 What little good or ill I've done 



Elsewhere is safe recorded. 



Some men are more than half divine. 



Through every age I greet them; 

 And their high souls enkindle mine 



Preparing it to meet them. 



Then to my honest halls retire 

 In Mirth's high revel bright'ning; 

 ^ Blow every pipe, strike every wire 



To strains I've play'd on lightning. 



Taste no cake-sop, no syrup-wine. 



With visage-mockery sober; 

 But slice the savoury haunch and chine, 



And broach my brave October. 



And as with Shakspeare, Scott, or Burns, 



'Mid Fairies, Ghosts, or Warlocks, 

 Ye wreathe the rosy hours by turns. 



Repeat my glorious marlocks. 



One bumper of my bright Falstaff, 



Ere your gay band be parted. 

 To me in cordial memory quaflj 



Me — Jack the happy-hearted. * 



These bests obey, friend-cousin mine, 



So, (when these rites betide me) 

 Be my bless'd Fate and Fortune thine 



'Till thou art laid beside me. 



John Freeman Mihuard JDovaston. 

 West/elton, near Shrewsbury^ May 15. 1829. 



* At Oxford they still talk of " Crazy Jack of Christchurch," where 

 they call me (from Homer) Vti^bawoc. Krjp. 



