Swift's Epitaph

Swift's Epitaph is a translation by Irish poet William Butler Yeats of Jonathan Swift's epitaph, which Swift wrote for himself in Latin. Yeats' somewhat free translation appeared in his 1933 collection The Winding Stair and Other Poems.

The epitaph itself is controversial, having been called both "scarce intelligible" and "the greatest epitaph in history".

Swift's Epitaph
Swift has sailed into his rest;

Savage indignation there

Cannot lacerate his Breast.

Imitate him if you dare,

World-Besotted Traveler; he

Served human liberty.

Original Latin version
Hic depositum est Corpus

IONATHAN SWIFT S.T.D.

Hujus Ecclesiæ Cathedralis

Decani,

Ubi sæva Indignatio

Ulterius

Cor lacerare nequit,

Abi Viator

Et imitare, si poteris,

Strenuum pro virili

Libertatis Vindicatorem.

Obiit 19º Die Mensis Octobris

A.D. 1745 Anno Ætatis 78º.

Literal Translation
Here is laid the Body

of Jonathan Swift, Doctor of Sacred Theology,

Dean of this Cathedral Church,

where fierce Indignation

can no longer

injure the Heart.

Go forth, Voyager,

and copy, if you can,

this vigorous (to the best of his ability)

Champion of Liberty.

He died on the 19th Day of the Month of October,

A.D. 1745, in the 78th Year of his Age.