Epitaph on William Bryant

BY sportive youth and busy manhood blest,
Here, thou meek father of our village, rest!
If length of days, in toilsome duties spent,
With chearful Honesty and mild Content;
If age, endur'd with firm and patient mind;
If life with willing piety resign'd;
If these are certain proofs of human worth,
Which, dear to Heaven, demand the praise of earth;
E'en Pride shall venerate this humble sod,
That holds a Christian worthy of his GOD.