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 has sailed into his rest;<br /> Savage indignation there<br /> Cannot lacerate his Breast.<br /> Imitate him if you dare,<br /> World-Besotted Traveler; he<br /> Served human liberty.
Hic depositum est Corpus<br /> IONATHAN SWIFT S.T.D.<br /> Hujus Ecclesiæ Cathedralis<br /> Decani,<br /> Ubi sæva Indignatio<br /> Ulterius<br /> Cor lacerare nequit,<br /> Abi Viator<br /> Et imitare, si poteris,<br /> Strenuum pro virili<br /> Libertatis Vindicatorem.
Obiit 19ú Die Mensis Octobris<br /> A.D. 1745 Anno ÃÂtatis 78ú.
Here is laid the Body<br /> of Jonathan Swift, Doctor of Sacred Theology,<br /> Dean of this Cathedral Church,
where fierce Indignation<br /> can no longer<br /> injure the Heart.<br /> Go forth, Voyager,<br /> and copy, if you can,<br /> this vigorous (to the best of his ability)<br /> Champion of Liberty.
He died on the 19th Day of the Month of October,<br /> A.D. 1745, in the 78th Year of his Age.