Shakespeare's Epitaphs

These are the epitaphs found both on Shakespeare's grave and under the bust of Shakespeare in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-Upon-Avon, where he is buried.

Note: The letter "y" in these epitaphs stands for the letters "th."

On the grave

Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare,
To digg the dust encloased heare:
Bles'e be ye man yt spares thes stones,
And curst be he yt moves my bones.

Under the bust

Ivdicio Pylium, genio Socratem, arte Maronem,
Terra tegit, Populus Maeret, Olympus habet

Stay Passenger, why goest thou by so fast?
Read if thou canst, whom envious death hath plast,
With in this monument Shakespeare: with whome,
quick nature dide: Whose name doth deck ys Tombe,
Far more than cost: Sieh all, yt He hath writt,
Leaves living art, but page, to serve his witt.

Obit ano do 1616
Aetatis*53 Die 23 Apr.

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