Ode To Death

ND of the wretched! wherefore should the

Of blank Despair, whence tears have ceased to flow,

Be turn'd from thee?--Ah! wherefore fears to

He, who compell'd each poignant grief to know,

Drains to its lowest dregs the cup of woe?

Would Cowardice postpone thy calm embrace,

To linger out long years in torturing pain?

Or not prefer thee to the ills that

Him, who too much impoverish'd to

From British Themis right , implores her aid in vain!

Sharp goading Indigence who would not fly,

That urges toil the exhausted strength above?

Or shun the once fond friend's averted eye?

Or who to thy asylum not remove,

To lose the wasting anguish of ungrateful love?

Can then the wounded wretch, who must

What most she loved, to thy cold arms consign'd,

Who hears the voice that soothed her soul no more,

Fear thee ,

O Death!--Or hug the chains that

To joyless, cheerless life, her sick, reluctant mind?

Oh,

Misery's cure! who e'er in pale

Has watch'd the angel form they could not save,

And seen their dearest blessing torn away,

May well the terrors of thy triumph brave,

Nor pause in fearful dread before the opening grave!