Tombs of the Dundee Howff
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 Stone No. 1473

 

Inscription.

ROBERT DAVIDSON S Monument

Monumentum Roberti Davidson, pratoris vigilantissimi; qui, dum fortiter & magnanimiter, urbis oppugnatione, dimicabat, lethaliter ab hostibus vulneratus, pro civitate & suis vitam reddidit. Cal . Septembris, anno salutis humame MDCLI. Ejusdem itidem conjugis amantissimee Grissellae Mannae, quae obiit MDCLXIIII. Ętatis sexagesimo secundo. Preetor Davidides, hac qui requiescit in urna, Tum virtute potens, tum fuit urbis honos;

Pro qua non timuit cum sanguine fundere vitam:

Urbe etenim capta, nil nisi dulce mori.

Urbis honos, genitor; sic filius urbis & orbis

Gloria, marmoreum qui dedit hunc tumulum.

Aliud, in eundcm.

Pro patria Codrus qui se dedit, anne beatus

Dicitur? & merito nemo negare queat.

Praetor Davidides igitur num jure beatus?

Pro urbe etenim moriens, fama perennis erit.


 

The monument of Robert Davidson, a most vigilant baillie, who, while he valiantly and magnanimously fought at the siege of the town, being deadly wounded by the enemy, gave up his life for the country and the city. He died 1 September, 1651. This monument serves also for his most loving wife, Grissel Man, who died in the year 1664. Her age 62.

Here Baillie Davidson rests in his grave,

The glory of the town, valiant and brave;

For which undaunted he gave up the ghost,

And sweetly died when the town was lost.

Sire, honour of the town; his gallant son

In honour shines, where Phoebus steeds do run;

He to his parents gave this monument,

Sincerest love that it might represent.

Another, on the same.

For's country Codrus dy'd, and none can say,

But he was very happy in his day;

So shall this baillie have most sweet renown,

Who died in the taking of the town.