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? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ESSAY ON STONE by HAYDEN CARRUTH LOCKED OUT; AS TOLD TO A CHILD by ROBERT FROST EPITAPH FOR A SOLDIER by DAVID IGNATOW BRIGHTNESS AS A POIGNANT LIGHT by DAVID IGNATOW INEVITABLY (1) by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE FEAST OF LIGHTS by EMMA LAZARUS A NEW HYMN by KATHERINE MANSFIELD |