Alas, how empty all our worldly schemes; Vain are our wishes, our enjoyment dreams. A debt to nature one and all must pay, Nor will the creditor defer her day;
Death comes a messenger, displays the writ, And to the fatal summons all submit. An earthly messenger I was of yore, The scourge of debtors then, but now — no more.
Oft have I stood in all my pomp confess'd, The blazon beaming dreadful at my breast; Oft have I wav'd on high th’ attractive rod, And made the wretch obsequious to my nod.
Pale shivering Poverty, that stalk'd behind, His greasy rags loose fluttering in the wind, And Terror, cudgel-arm'd, that strode before, Still to my deeds unquestion'd witness bore.
Dire execution, as I march'd, was spread; My threat'ning horn they heard — they heard and fled. While thus destruction mark'd my headlong course, Nor mortals durst oppose my matchless force,
A deadly warrant from the court of heaven To Death, the sovereign messenger, was given. Swift as the lightning's instantaneous flame, Arm'd with his dart, the king of catchpoles came.
My heart, unmov'd before, was seiz'd with fear, And sunk beneath his all-subduing spear; To heaven's high bar the spirit wing'd its way, And left the carcass forfeit to the clay.
Reader! though every ill beset thee round, With patience bear, nor servilely despond; Though heaven awhile delay th’ impending blow, Heaven sees the sorrows of the world below,
And sets at last the suffering mourner free From famine, misery, pestilence, and ME.
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