9604. Gesta Romanorum. John Bartlett, comp. 1919. Familiar Quotations, 10th ed.

Reference > Quotations > John Bartlett, comp. > Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. > 9604. Gesta Romanorum

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John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.


NUMBER:	9604
AUTHOR:	Gesta Romanorum
QUOTATION:	We read of a certain Roman emperor who built a magnificent palace. In digging the foundation, the workmen discovered a golden sarcophagus ornamented with three circlets, on which were inscribed, “I have expended; I have given; I have kept; I have possessed; I do possess; I have lost; I am punished. What I formerly expended, I have; what I gave away, I have.” 1
ATTRIBUTION:	Tale xvi.
BIOGRAPHY:	Columbia Encyclopedia.

Note 1.
Richard Gough, in the “Sepulchral Monuments of Great Britain,” gives this epitaph of Robert Byrkes, which is to be found in Doncaster Church, “new cut” upon his tomb in Roman capitals:—

Howe: Howe: who is heare:
I, Robin of Doncaster, and Margaret my feare.
That I spent, that I had;
That I gave, that I have;
That I left, that I lost.
A. D. 1579.

The following is the epitaph of Edward Courtenay, Earl of Devonshire, according to Cleaveland’s “Genealogical History of the Family of Courtenay,” p. 142:—
What we gave, we have;
What we spent, we had;
What we left, we lost. [back]

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