An Epitaph A Day - November 7

Keeps Death's Spectre Away

JOHN FOSTER
printer of the first book
printed in Boston, Mass.
died 1681

The following epitaph was cut in black letter on his tombstone —

Thy body, which no activeness did lack,
Now's laid aside, like an old almanack;
But for the present only's out of date,
'Twill have at length a far more active state;
Yea, at the resurrection, we shall see
A fair edition, and of matchless worth,
Free from errata, not in heaven set forth:
'Tis but a word from God, the great Creator,
It shall be done, when he says Imprimatur.

Source:

The Bibliographer; a journal of book-lore. London: Elliot Stock, 1882.