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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ON AN OPEN GRAVE by ANONYMOUS

First Line: "LABORIOUS PASSENGER, LOOK DOWN"
Last Line: WHOSE END IS EVERYWHERE
Subject(s): DEATH;GRAVES; "DEAD, THE;TOMBS;TOMBSTONES;"

Laborious passenger, look down,
Behold thy journey's end;
See! whither all thy weary steps,
'Tis hither, see! they tend.

Observe the distance, mark how small,
But six foot deep or less,
A measure scarce beyond thy own,
That leads from pain to ease!

Not here alone, but wheresoe'er
Thy toiling footsteps sound;
Thy length and breadth will show the spot
Where rest is to be found.

Then patient, the fatigues of life
With this reflection bear:
That journey can't be over-long,
Whose end is everywhere.



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