The circumstances under which it has happened that no correct copy has
hitherto been printed of the epitaph of Carew, in the church of
Antony, are remarkable. The learned Camden was solicited to supply it
originally, as is shown by his Epistolæ, p. 106; but Richard Carew,
Esq. the son of the deceased, appears to have preferred a more
circumstantial composition, at the same time that he retained several
of Camden’s expressions. Hugh C――――, Esq. who wrote the Life of the
Historian prefixed to the Survey of Cornwall, quoted the epitaph, not
from the monument, but from Camden’s Epistolæ; and he was followed by
Mr. Polwhele and Mr. Lysons, under the impression that it was the
actual inscription on the tomb, nor was the deficiency supplied in the
handsome reprint of Carew’s Survey by Lord de Dunstanville. It is
believed that Mr. C. S. Gilbert was the first to copy it, but very
inaccurately, in his Historical Survey of Cornwall, ii, 388; and the
first perfect copy is the present.
“FUI, NON SUM ―――― NON FUISTIS, ESTIS, ERITIS.
RICARDO CAREW de Antony Armigero;
Thomæ Carew, ex Elizabetha Edgecombe, Filio;
Wimondi Carew, Mil: Bain: ex Martha Denni, Nepoti.
Johannis Carew, ex Thomasina, Pronepoti;
Alexandri Carew, ex Joanna Hatch, Abnepoti;
Nato An: Sal: 1555
Pacis Præsul: 1581
Cornub: Vicecom: 1586
In re milit: Regias Vices functo 1586
In Colleg: Antiquariorum elect: 1598
Religioso, Ingenioso Viro, Docto, Eloquenti,
Liberali, Magnanimo, Integerrimo,
Græce, Italice, Germanice, Gallice, Hispanice
ΑΥΤΟΔΙΔΑΚΤΩ
Injuriarum beneficiis placidis retaliatori,
In libris versato, necnon librorum auctori candidissimo,
de Principe et Patria
ob assidua et fidelia officia, semper opt: merito,
eruditorum, pauperum, oppressorum
sublevatori benignissimo,
qui, post 65 annorum bene et feliciter emensum spatium,
inter privatas solitas diurnas ad D: OP: MAX:
supplicationes in Bibliotheca
placidè in Christo obdormivit 6^o. Nov: 1620.
Richardus Carew Filius, Patri
opt. merito, officiosi obsequii ergo
cum lachrimis posuit.
Uxorem duxit Julianam Arundell de Trerice 1577
Johannem primogenitum, Anton: et Filias Gertrudam,
Annam, et Annam ad superos premisit.
Filios Richard: Johann: Hobbin:
Georg: Wimond: reliquit superstites.
“The verses following were written by Richard Carew, of Antony, esq.
immediately before his death (which happened the sixth of November
1620) as he was at his private prayers in his study (his daily
practice) at four in the afternoon; and being found in his pocket,
were preserved by his grandson Sir Alexander Carew, according to whose
desire they are here set up in memory of him.
Full thirteen fives of years I toyling have o’erpast
And in the fourteenth, weary entered am at last.
While rocks, sands, stormes, and leaks, to take my bark away
By grief, troubles, sorrows, sickness did essay,
And yet arriv’d I am not at the port of death,
The port to everlasting life that openeth.
My time uncertain, Lord! long certain cannot be,
That best to mee’s unknown, and only known to thee.
O! by repentance and amendment, grant that I
May still live in thy fear――and in thy favour dye.”