Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DAVID, SELECTION, by HANNAH MORE



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DAVID, SELECTION, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: And what is death, my friend, that I should fear it?
Last Line: Who would not die that he might live for ever?


And what is death, my friend, that I should fear it?
To die! why 't is to triumph: 't is to join
The great assembly of the good and just:
Immortal worthies, heroes, prophets, saints!
Oh, 't is to join the band of holy men,
Made perfect by their sufferings! 'T is to meet
My great progenitors; 't is to behold
The illustrious patriarchs: they with whom the Lord
Deign'd hold familiar converse! 'T is to see
Bless'd Noah and his children: once a world.
'T is to behold (O rapture to conceive!)
Those we have known, and lov'd, and lost below:
Behold Azariah and the band of brothers
Who sought in bloom of youth the scorching flames!
Nor shall we see heroic men alone,
Champions who fought the fight of faith on earth;
But heavenly conquerors, angelic hosts,
Michael and his bright legions who subdued
The foes of Truth! To join their blest employ
Of love and praise! To the high melodies
Of choirs celestial to attune my voice,
Accordant to the golden harps of saints!
To join in blest hosannahs to their king!
Whose face to see, whose glory to behold,
Alone were heaven, though saint or seraph none
Should meet our sight, and only God were there!
This is to die! Who would not die for this?
Who would not die that he might live for ever?





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