NOTES. 



we have the authority of Damasccn, Gregory Nyssen, St. 

 Jerome, and St. Austin." — Brand. 



Prudentius, A.D. 405, thus writes : " Now death itself is 

 blessed, since through its pangs a path is thrown open to the 

 just, a way from sorrow to the stars. We will adorn the 

 hidden bones with violets and many a bough ; and on the 

 epitaph and the cold stones we will sprinkle liquid odours." 

 • — Vide Maitland's Church in the Catacombs. 



Shakespeare makes Ophelia to sing most touchingly : 



" He is dead and gone, lady, 



He is dead and gone ; 

 At his head a grass- green turf, 

 At his heels a stone. 

 White his shroud as the mountain snow, 



Larded all with sweet flowers ; 

 Which bewept to the grave did go. 



With true-love showers." — Hamlet, Act iv. Scene 6. 



Spenser in describing the seven Bead-men of the " Holy 

 Hospitall," or House of Mercy, thus wi-ites : 



"The sixt had charge of them now being dead, 

 In seemly sort their corses to engrave '', 

 And deck with dainty flowi-es their biydall bed, 

 That to their heavenly Spouse both sweet and brave 

 They might appear, when He their souls shaU save. 

 The wondrous workmanship of God's owne mould, 

 Whose face He made aU beastes to feare, and gave 

 All in his hand, even dead Ave honour should. 



Ah, dearest God, me graimt, I dead be not defould"^ !" 



i" Engrave, bury. c Defould, insulted. 



