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1849–1903

XLIV

William Ernest Henley

He made this gracious Earth a hell With Love and Drink. I cannot tell Of which he died. But Death was well. Will I die of drink?

Why not? Wo n't I pause and think? — What? Why in seeming wise

Waste your breath? Everybody dies — And of death! Youth — if you find it's youth

Too late? Truth — and the back of truth? Straight, Be it love or liquor,

What's the odds, So it slide you quicker To the gods?

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XLIV · William Ernest Henley · Poetry Cove