4 APRIL 1908, Page 13

EPITAPHS WRITTEN BY POETS ON THEMSELVES. lTo THE EDITOR Or

TEl "SPECTATOR.") SIR,—Your correspondent Mr. G. C. Macaulay's letter re poets' epitaphs in last week's Spectator recalls another. Scarron, the first husband of Madame de Maintenon, was a terrible sufferer from some spinal complaint. It is said that he had to undergo many operations until he became insensible

from the agony. The epitaph, which was found in his desk after his death, when translated runs as follows

No foolish envy waste on him Who sleeps this stone beneath, Death's pangs he felt a hundred times Ere yet he suffered death.

Oh stranger, let no footstep rude The sacred silence break ; 'Tis the first night poor Scarron sleeps Tread lightly lest he wake."

Hyde Court, Chalford, near Stroud, Glos.