Poems Lyrical and Dramatic :: :: University of Virginia Library

Euthanasia, crimson-clad,
Bright, unblushing, bold and bad,
Who shall guess what dreams we've had?
I wonder.
Not the stars in yon green skies,
Bright as jewelled serpents' eyes;
Not the cold moon's agonies,
Nor the unleashed thunder,
Euthanasia!

Euthanasia, pale and tall,
Splendid, passionate, musical,
Fieriest lover of them all
And hater,

Thou and I be kindred souls,
From Hell's furnace two hot coals,
But fairer than Heaven's common shoals,
Fairer and greater,
Euthanasia!

Euthanasia, thou and I,
Poisoned by man's enmity,
Do we lay us down and die?
How say you?
Brethren dear, the worms do so,
As ye trample to and fro:
Some have horns and collars, though,
And turn and slay you.—
Euthanasia!

One man sows, another reaps;
This one toils, and that one keeps;
Gainer laughs, and loser weeps;
God willed it.
Fate from poisoned urn fills up
To the brim thy bitter cup,
Sneers, while on the dregs you sup,
“'Tis just: you filled it.”—
Euthanasia!

Then all drinking say, “This bed
For ourselves ourselves have spread;
We have sinned, on our own head
To heap it:”
Only we from her embrace
Snatch the urn with little grace,
Dash the poison in her face,
And cry “Nay, keep it.”
Euthanasia!