Ere the birth of my life, if I wished it or no, No question was asked me -- it could not be so! If the life was the question, a thing sent to try, And to live on be Yes; what can No be? to die. NATURE'S ANSWER Is't returned, as 'twas sent? Is't no worse for the wear? Think first, what you are! Call to mind what you were! I gave you innocence, I gave you hope, Gave health, and genius, and an ample scope. Return you me guilt, lethargy, despair? Make out the invent'ry; inspect, compare! Then die -- if die you dare! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MENELAUS AND HELEN by RUPERT BROOKE ON WORDSWORTH by DAVID HARTLEY COLERIDGE THE BALLAD OF PROSE AND RHYME by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON ON AN OLD MUFF by FREDERICK LOCKER-LAMPSON THE SPIRIT OF POETRY by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW |