Maggoty Johnson'S Grave

SJ 87 SE 8890 7019 1/19

GAWSWORTH C.P. (Off) MAGGOTY LANE Maggoty Johnson's Wood

Maggoty Johnson's Grave

II

GV

Table tomb. Dated 1773. Stone slab on C20 brick plinth. Rectangular stone raised on brick base. Inscription reads: Under this Stone/ Rest the remains of Mr SAMUEL JOHNSON/ Afterwards enobled with the grander Title of/ LORD FLAME/ Who, after having been in his Life distinct from other Men/ By the Exentricities of his Genius/ Chose to retain the same character after his Death/ And was at his own Desire buried here May 5th/ A.D. MDCCLXXIII aged 82/ Stay thou whom Chance directs or ease persuades/ To seek the Quiet of these Silven shades/ Here undisturbd hid from Vulgar Eyes/ A Wit. Musician. Poet. Player lies/ A Dancing Master too in Grace he shone/ And all the arts of Opera were his own/ In Comedy well skilled he drew Lord Flame/ Acted the part and gained himself the Name/ Averse to Strife how oft he'd gravely say/ These peaceful Groves should shade his breathless Clay/ That when he rose again laid here alone/ No friend and he should quarrel for a Bone/ Thinking that were some old lame Gossip nigh/ She possibly might take his Leg or Thigh/.

Adjoining this is a second commemorative and admonitory slab. C19. Ashlar on brick foundations. Rectangular stone slightly raised above ground. Inscription reads: If chance hath brought thee here or curious eyes/ To see the spot where this poor jester lies/ Thoughtless jester, even in his death/ Uttering his jibes beyond his latest breath/ O Stranger pause a moment pause and say/ "Tommorrow shouldst thou quit thy house of clay/ where wilt thou be my soul?/ In Paradise?/" Immortal spirit would thou then be blest/ Wailing thy perfect bliss on Abraham's breast/ Boast not of silly art or wit or fame/ Be thou ambitious of a Christian's name/ Seek not thy bodies rest in peaceful grove/ Pray that thy soul may rest in Jesus' love/ O speak not lightly of that dreadful day/ When all must rise in joy or in dismay/ When spirits pure in body glorified/ With Christian heavenly mansions shall abide/ While wicked souls shall hear the Judge's doom/ Go ye accursed into endless gloom/ Look on that stone and this and ponder well/ Then choose twixt Life and Death/ Twixt Heaven and Hell/.

Listing NGR: SJ 88890 70178