ADDRESS TO D^ATH. 



Away away to the battle-plain, 

 Where hundreds are wounded, and none are slain f 

 Why why dost thou haunt my humble bed, 

 When so regal a banquet is for thee spread ? 

 Away then away and the rattling breath 

 Will hail thine approach, thou grisly Death ! 



Vision of hope ! Vision of fear ! 



Death, grim Death! why com'st thou here ? 



Away away ! there's an infant's breath 



Just struggling to be free, grim Death ! 



Tis the first-born flower the primrose child, 



And hark thee ! the mother with grief is wild. 



Away then away for there's music, O Death ! 



In the mother's groans in the young child's breath F 



Vision of hope vision of fear ! 



Death grim Death ! why com'st thou here ? 



Away away ! there's a scream of pain, 



The maniac is gnawing his iron chain ! 



Hie ! hie ! grim Death ! he will laugh in thy face, 



Haste to him, Death, with thy quickest pace. 



Away then away why laggest thou here, 



When the madman's cell has such noble cheer ? 



Vision of hope vision of fear ! 



Death grim Death ! why com'st thou here ? 



Away away ! there are palaces built 

 For the children of sickness the sons of guilt ! 

 There thou wilt find thy most sumptuous fare 

 The ulcer'd breath, and the murderer's stare. 

 Away then away grim Death, haste away, 

 There are thousands that curse thy tardy delay ! 



Vision of hope vision of fear ! 



Death grim Death ! why com'st thou here? 



Away away ha ! I see it now 

 In thine hollow eyes, on thy skinless brow I 

 I hear it, Death, in thy stealthy tread 

 My hour is come I must join the dead ! 

 Haste thee, O Death ! break the mortal chain- 

 That fetters me fast, both heart and brain ; 

 Loose the ' silver cord' which has held my life 

 Fast bound to this world of woe and strife. 

 Ha ! ha ! grim Death ! I feel thee now, 

 Thy bony hand is upon my brow. 



Vision of hope vision of fear, 



I know, grim Death, why thou comest here. P. G, 



