Oh! death will find me, long before I tire Of watching for you; and swing me suddenly Into the shade and loneliness and mire Of the last land!
Mud unto mud!--Death eddies near-- Not here the appointed End, not here! But somewhere, beyond Space and Time, Is wetter water, slimier slime!
Proud, then, clear-eyed and laughing, go to greet Death as a friend!
Oh! death will find me long before I tire of watching you.
But the best I've known Stays here, and changes, breaks, grows old, is blown About the winds of the world, and fades from brains Of living men, and dies.
But only agony, and that has ending; And the worst friend and enemy is but Death.