Death & Dying

The Epitaph

by Jonathan Swift 1667–1745

Death & Dying

Here, five feet deep, lies on his back
A cobbler, starmonger, and quack;
Who to the stars, in pure good will,
Does to his best look upward still.
Weep, all you customers that use
His pills, his almanacks, or shoes;
And you that did your fortunes seek,
Step to his grave but once a-week;
This earth, which bears his body's print,
You'll find has so much virtue in't,
That I durst pawn my ears, 'twill tell
Whate'er concerns you full as well,
In physic, stolen goods, or love,
As he himself could, when above.

MLA

Swift, Jonathan. “The Epitaph.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/swift/32/.

Chicago

Swift, Jonathan. “The Epitaph.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/swift/32/.

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