Original Poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

Death is the Road to everlasting Life,
To Palms, and Crowns, and to eternal Joys
Unmixt with Sorrow: Where no Care, nor Strife,
Or Hopes, or Fears, the Happiness destroys;
But where Content, and Love, and perfect Peace,
And Bliss, abides, which never knows Decrease.

II

Death is a Friend, that sets the Wretched free,
From Pain, and Want, and all their Suff'rings here:
That laughs at disappointed Tyranny,
And makes the Slave no more his Bondage fear;
That heals the Sick, the Hungry kindly fills,
And cures Mankind of all their worldly Ills.

III

Death is a Gate, that opens differently
Two folding Doors, which lead contrary Ways;
Thro' This the Good Man finds Felicity,
The Bad thro' That to endless Ruin strays:
Herein They both the self-same Rule retain,
Who enters once must ne'er return again.