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John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.

3114 Matthew Prior 1664-1721 John Bartlett

 
NUMBER:3114
AUTHOR:Matthew Prior (1664–1721)
QUOTATION:Nobles and heralds, by your leave,
  Here lies what once was Matthew Prior;
The son of Adam and of Eve:
  Can Bourbon or Nassau claim higher? 1
ATTRIBUTION:Epitaph. Extempore.
 
Note 1.
The following epitaph was written long before the time of Prior:—

Johnnie Carnegie lais heer,
Descendit of Adam and Eve.
Gif ony con gang hieher,
Ise willing give him leve. [back]