Egioke, Francis

In Latin: In Latin: The epitaph of the most religious and excellent of men, Francis Egioke of Egioke in the county of Worcestershire, Gent., famous and of integrity of life, a most excellent champion of the muses, of the soldiery, of the poor; who, setting out from London on a journey to Worcestershire departed this life in Uxbridge on the 21st day of November 1622: his ashes are laid here. His most beloved and deeply sorrowing wife, Eleanor, daughter of Francis Dingley, Gent., in the same county of Worcestershire, placed this monument here as a token of her love and obedience. Do not believe, reader, that it gives pleasure to weep at this tomb. But you who read these words be generous with your pious tears, since all weep for the muses and for the multitudes of the poor: he was patron of the former, benefactor of the latter. Imperious death sings of arms and the man, triumphing at the downfall and despoliation of so mighty a warrior. Why do you gloat vainly, O death? Your prey already eludes you. The arts, military prowess, and prayers, all preclude the extinction of this man, and it is vain, O death, that you hunt down this man for whom Heaven does battle. Not for you, but for the powers above, does the blessed prey lie fallen. It was in the course of his journey that he fell; as a wayfarer he died; he knew both his native land that is above the earth, and that which is here, and, in favour of the former, he leaves his home-gods and his country, and in mid-journey he comes into possession of heaven. [Translation courtesy of Westminster Abbey website.]