Life is God's sacramental gift To man for his emprising, -- The talent given into his care For his soul's exercising, -- A sacred trust bestowed on him For his immortalising. And He Who lends will one day ask His own again with interest, -- See to it then, lest thou be found Of those who failed Him in the test. His equal gift is Death, -- Death, the Bead-Roller of all noble souls Whose lives were given to questing noblest goals Death is no foe, but Everyman's best friend; Death is Life's true beginning, not its end; Death is the Opener of the Golden Door To that high Life which goes from more to more. Dear Brother Death, who brings us sweet release From all earth's sorrows with God's gift of Peace! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WINTER NIGHT SONG by SARA TEASDALE MIDNIGHT ON THE GREAT WESTERN by THOMAS HARDY THE RIVER-MERCHANT'S WIFE: A LETTER by LI PO THE END OF THE DAY by DUNCAN CAMPBELL SCOTT SONGS OF TRAVEL: 1. THE VAGABOND by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON THE ARCHERY MEETING by THOMAS HAYNES BAYLY |