FRIEND of the wretched! wherefore should the eye <br />Of blank Despair, whence tears have ceased to flow, <br />Be turn'd from thee?--Ah! wherefore fears to die <br />He, who compell'd each poignant grief to know, <br />Drains to its lowest dregs the cup of woe? <br />Would Cowardice postpone thy calm embrace, <br />To linger out long years in torturing pain? <br />Or not prefer thee to the ills that chase <br />Him, who too much impoverish'd to obtain <br />From British Themis right , implores her aid in vain! <br />Sharp goading Indigence who would not fly, <br />That urges toil the exhausted strength above? <br />Or shun the once fond friend's averted eye? <br />Or who to thy asylum not remove, <br />To lose the wasting anguish of ungrateful love? <br />Can then the wounded wretch, who must deplore <br />What most she loved, to thy cold arms consign'd, <br />Who hears the voice that soothed her soul no more, <br />Fear thee , O Death!--Or hug the chains that bind <br />To joyless, cheerless life, her sick, reluctant mind? <br /> <br />Oh, Misery's cure! who e'er in pale dismay <br />Has watch'd the angel form they could not save, <br />And seen their dearest blessing torn away, <br />May well the terrors of thy triumph brave, <br />Nor pause in fearful dread before the opening grave!<br /><br />Charlotte Smith<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ode-to-death-4/
