The Body of
B. Franklin, Printer,
Like the Cover of an old Book,
Its Contents torn out,
And stript of its Lettering & Gilding,
Lies here, Food for Worms.
But the Work shall not be lost;
For it will, as he believ'd, appear once more
In a new and more elegant Edition
Corrected and improved
By the Author.
Given by B. Franklin to Saml. Morris
August 31, 1776
N.B. It is his own hand writing