Inscription
Upon the 26th of August 1646, it was granted by permission to Captain WILLIAM GRAHAM of Hiltoun, and MARGARET STEWART, his spouse, as a place of sepulture for them and their children, in which they may lay down the earthly clothing of their souls, when God shall call them by death. Here already are buried their whole offspring, ALEXANDER, MARGARET, and MARY, and their other children. Not posthumous, but forerunners to their parents in death; as also to an everlasting inheritance— to eternal life. O how uncertain are all human affairs ! the hope of them perishing, and mortality often preposterous.
O short race of flying life, whereon thou,
Passenger, reading this, halts, yet stands not.
Right panel:
"Mind, Passenger, thy going hence,
From Captain Graham, his providence;
Nor envy thov this little stone;
Heir is no provd Mavsoleon:
But rather emulat his hop's,
In which he far far overtop's
Nilus vast Pyramides: Lo heir
A wardrobe for his soules attire
He doth provide. He trusts at last
This coat incarnat not to cast;
But lay it off: The world may burn,
Yet shall his ashes, from his urne
Muster his out-side, and present
Christ's all monarchiq parlament.'
William Graham
ANAGRAM
Ah me ! I gravel am and dust,
And to the grave descend I must;
O painted piece of living clay !
Man, be not proud of thy short day.
This tablet was formerly placed in a wall, now removed, which divided
the burial ground from the square plot of ground inclosed on the east side
of the Palace.
(History of Holyrood)
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