Naked you come, and naked go.
Nor hold of too great worth
The riches and the fame
And the green ways of earth.
So when night falls, and Life cries out adieu,
You ask not one hour more.
But turn from her bright door
To hail the hooded Death that waits for you !

And thus you conquer ? Nay, not so.
Will Life your host be cheated
Of her just dues; though all
Empty as dust you treated
The jewels she held, and bore you strong and free;
Yet hath she found a way
Your towering pride to slay
And bring you a weak suppliant to her knee.

Behold, stalwart and true, a friend
She gives you. Ah, poor heart.
Sad heart that loves and bleeds,
Knowing that friends must part!
of courseIn terror now you watch the sullen time
Creep on to dusk, and cling
Wildly to Life when ring
The knells of Death with their insistent chime.