An epitaph on Mr. John Smith, alias Ashburnham, who having been an eminent and most notorious robber on the high-way, was executed on the 26th of this present May, 1684, for murder committed on the road, and hangs now on Samford Hill in chains

1684

Oxford Text Archive

AN EPITAPH ON Mr. JOHN SMITH, alias ASHBƲRNHAM, Who having been an Eminent and most Notorious Robber on the High-way was Executed on the 26th of this present May, 1684. for Murder committed on the Road; and hangs now on Samford Hill in Chains.

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AN EPITAPH ON Mr. JOHN SMITH, alias ASHBƲRNHAM, Who having been an Eminent and most Notorious Robber on the High-way was Executed on the 26th of this present May, 1684. for Murder com­mitted on the Road; and hangs now on Samford Hill in Chains.HEre Un-interr'd suspends that High-way Man
Sur-named Smith, Nick-named Ashburnham:
Who for his Ill Deeds, and Notorious,
Is in Chains thus trussed up before us.
Justice and Law Ordained him to be
So sad an Object of Mortality:
Thereto remain, a Terrour to affright
All wicked Men that do in Sins delight.
As that of Murder, Rapine, Robery,
Lust, uncleanness, and of Adultery,
Riot, Drunkenness, and of Gluttony:
Abuse of Plenty, full Carousing Bowls,
Prizing the Life of Sense above their Souls.
This is the Reason, and the Cause that they
May Warning take, and not in the High-way
Be Hang'd in Chains, as he doth to the Shame
And Disgrace of's Family and Name.
But yet his Body is Intomb'd in Air,
Arch'd over with Twenty thousand fair
And Glorious shining Stars; and I have
Faith enough to believe, that 'though a Grave
Be wanting to's Body, yet's Soul may be
Truly Happy to all Eternity.
For as his Sins were very great and many,
So his Repentance scarce out-done by any.
‘Faelix quem faciunt aliena pericula cantum.’

LONDON, Printed by George Croom, at the Sign of the Blew Ball over against Baynard's Castle in Thames street, 1684.

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