an epitaph

liam took a particular interest in the poetry on some gravestones, sitting side-by-side and with the same inscription. his interest was sufficient that he turned me from my imminent departure and helped me to the other side of the cemetery so that we could try to figure out what it said. the boy wants to read poetry!
the first was easier to read but had only part of the verse inscribed. it was a privilege to uncover the remaining verse on our return home

Pass a few swiftly-fleeting years,

And all that now in bodies live

Shall quit, like me, the vale of tears,

Their righteous sentence to receive.

But all, before they hence remove,

May mansions for themselves prepare

In that eternal house above;

And, O my God, shall I be there?