"As you are, so once was I As I am, so will you be. So prepare for death and follow me" What is the full text and author of this poem?

-- John Malesko (malesjo@mail.northgrum.com), February 07, 2000

Answers

These lines goes back to circa 1730, many tombstones were inscribed with them at that time.

-- ilza (ilza@pobox.com), February 08, 2000.

Remember, friend, as you pass by

As you are now, so once was I ...

As I am now, you too shall be,

Prepare for death, and follow me.

author unknown, from an old tombstone

- and it is said someone wrote underneath :

To follow thee I'm not content,

Until I know which way you went.

-- ilza (ilza@pobox.com), February 08, 2000.