Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO DEATH, by WILLIBALD CHRISTOPH GLUCK First Line: Methinks it were no pain to die Last Line: I would I were away! Subject(s): Death; Dead, The | ||||||||
Methinks it were no pain to die On such an eve, when such a sky O'er canopies the west; To gaze my fill on yon calm deep, And, like an infant, fall asleep On Earth, my mother's breast. There's peace and welcome in yon sea Of endless blue tranquility: These clouds are living things; I trace their veins of liquid gold, I see them solemnly unfold Their soft and fleecy wings. These be the angels that convey Us weary children of a day -- Life's tedious nothing o'er -- Where neither passions come, nor woes, To vex the genius of repose On Death's majestic shore. No darkness there divides the sway With startling dawn and dazzling day; But gloriously serene Are the interminable plains: One fixed, eternal sunset reigns O'er the wide silent scene. I cannot doff all human fear; I know thy greeting is severe To this poor shell of clay; Yet come, O Death! thy freezing kiss Emancipates! thy rest is bliss! I would I were away! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRIEND KILLED IN THE WAR by ANTHONY HECHT FOR JAMES MERRILL: AN ADIEU by ANTHONY HECHT TARANTULA: OR THE DANCE OF DEATH by ANTHONY HECHT CHAMPS D?ÇÖHONNEUR by ERNEST HEMINGWAY NOTE TO REALITY by TONY HOAGLAND I'M GOING BACK TO SOMETHING by DAVID IGNATOW |
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