原文
"'Here lieth the body of Albert Crawford, Esq.,'" read Anne from a
worn, gray slab, "'for many years Keeper of His Majesty's Ordnance at
Kingsport. He served in the army till the peace of 1763, when he retired
from bad health. He was a brave officer, the best of husbands, the best
of fathers, the best of friends. He died October 29th, 1792, aged 84
years.' There's an epitaph for you, Prissy. There is certainly some
'scope for imagination' in it. How full such a life must have been of
adventure! And as for his personal qualities, I'm sure human eulogy
couldn't go further. I wonder if they told him he was all those best
things while he was alive."
語彙など
- lieth:横たわる（古）
- Esq.:＝esquire（〈古〉〜殿、〜様）
- worn:すり切れた
- slab:石板
- majesty:王族,陛下
- ordnance:兵器
- peace:和平
- epitaph:墓碑銘,墓誌
- as for:〜については
- eulogy:賛美,追悼の辞