Poems on Various Subjects With Introductory Remarks on the present State of Science and Literature in France |
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 | Poems on Various Subjects |  |
237
IMITATION OF LINES
ADDRESSED BY M. D---, A YOUNG MAN OF TWENTY-FOUR YEARS OF AGE, THE NIGHT BEFORE HIS EXECUTION, TO A YOUNG LADY TO WHOM HE WAS ENGAGED.—1794.
I
The hour that calls to death is near,It brings to me no throb of fear;
The breast that honour arms, can brave
The murd'rer's steel, th' untimely grave;
But thou, to whom I gave my heart,
From thee for ever must I part?
Wilt thou not hear my latest sigh?—
Ah, 'tis a cruel task to die!
238
II
To-morrow, my clos'd eyes no moreShall gaze on beauty I adore;
To-morrow, sadd'ning every grace,
Unceasing tears shall bathe thy face;
To-morrow, chill'd by death's cold grasp,
This hand no longer thine shall clasp;
For thou—no more wilt thou be nigh—
Ah, 'tis a cruel task to die!
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