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84
IV.
“THANATOPSIS.”
When one can die with the proud consciousnessThat he will 'bide forever with the world,
And that when monarchs and their broods are hurled
Contemptuous down Oblivion's abyss,
He will span time like heaven's bow; God! this
Must set his blood to boiling, and with bliss
Fill his king-heart up to the very brim!
Yet I do know of a sublimer joy
Possessing which I would not envy him—
O faith! the alchemist that turns th' alloy
Of death to golden calm. 'Tis when the soul,
Uncaged, goes singing lark-like thro' the spheres
Confidingly to God, devoid of fears,
Having on earth paid Paradise its toll!
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