After death nothing is, and nothing, death, | |
The utmost limit of a gasp of breath. | |
Let the ambitious zealot lay aside | |
His hopes of heaven, whose faith is but his pride; | |
| 5 | Let slavish souls lay by their fear |
Nor be concerned which way nor where | |
After this life they shall be hurled. | |
Dead, we become the lumber of the world, | |
And to that mass of matter shall be swept | |
| 10 | Where things destroyed with things unborn are kept. |
Devouring time swallows us whole. | |
Impartial death confounds body and soul. | |
For Hell and the foul fiend that rules | |
God’s everlasting fiery jails | |
| 15 | (Devised by rogues, dreaded by fools), |
With his grim, grisly dog that keeps the door, | |
Are senseless stories, idle tales, | |
Dreams, whimseys, and no more. | |