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I
SAID Life to Death: “Methinks, if I were you, | |
| I would not carry such an awesome face | |
| To terrify the helpless human race; | |
| And if indeed those wondrous tales be true | |
| Of happiness beyond, and if I knew | 5 |
| About the boasted blessings of that place, | |
| I would not hide so miserly all trace | |
| Of my vast knowledge, Death, if I were you: | |
| But, like a glorious angel, I would lean | |
| Above the pathway of each sorrowing soul, | 10 |
| Hope in my eyes, and comfort in my breath, | |
| And strong conviction in my radiant mien, | |
| The while I whispered of that beauteous goal. | |
| This would I do if I were you, O Death.” | |
| |
II
Said Death to Life: “If I were you, my friend, | 15 |
| I would not lure confiding souls each day | |
| With fair, false smiles to enter on a way | |
| So filled with pain and trouble to the end; | |
| I would not tempt those whom I should defend, | |
| Nor stand unmoved and see them go astray; | 20 |
| Nor would I force unwilling souls to stay | |
| Who longed for freedom, were I you, my friend: | |
| But, like a tender mother, I would take | |
| The weary world upon my sheltering breast, | |
| And wipe away its tears, and soothe its strife; | 25 |
| I would fulfil my promises, and make | |
| My children bless me as they sank to rest | |
| Where now they curse—if I were you, O Life.” | |
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III
Life made no answer, and Death spoke again: | |
| “I would not woo from God’s sweet nothingness | 30 |
| A soul to being, if I could not bless | |
| And crown it with all joy. If unto men | |
| My face seems awesome, tell me, Life, why then | |
| Do they pursue me, mad for my caress, | |
| Believing in my silence lies redress | 35 |
| For your loud falsehoods?” (so Death spoke again). | |
| “Oh, it is well for you I am not fair— | |
| Well that I hide behind a voiceless tomb | |
| The mighty secrets of that other place: | |
| Else would you stand in impotent despair, | 40 |
| While unfledged souls straight from the mother’s womb | |
| Rushed to my arms and spat upon your face!” | |
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