To Death

Anonymous Translation from the German METHINKS it were no pain to die On such an eve, when such a sky O’er-canopies the west; To gaze my fill on yon calm deep, And, like an infant, fall asleep On Earth, my mother’s breast. There ’s peace and welcome in yon sea Of endless blue tranquillity: These clouds are living things; I trace their veins of liquid gold, I see them solemnly unfold Their soft and fleecy wings. These be the angels that convey Us weary children of a day— Life’s tedious nothing o’er— Where neither passions come, nor woes, To vex the genius of repose On Death’s majestic shore. No darkness there divides the sway With startling dawn and dazzling day; But gloriously serene Are the interminable plains: One fixed, eternal sunset reigns O’er the wide silent scene. I cannot doff all human fear; I know thy greeting is severe To this poor shell of clay: Yet come, O Death! thy freezing kiss Emancipates! thy rest is bliss! I would I were away!