Poem by William Davenant

Life and Death

Frail Life! in which, through mists of human breath
We grope for truth, and make our progress slow,
Because by passion blinded; till by death
Our passions ending, we begin to know.

O reverend Death! whose looks can soon advise
E'en scornful youth, which priests their doctrine waste;
Yet mock us too; for he does make us wise,
When by his coming our affairs are past.

O harmless Death! whom still the valiant brave,
The wise expect, the sorrowful invite,
And all the good embrace, who know the grave
A shut dark passage to eternal light.

1. The Christians Reply to the Phylosopher
2. For the Lady Olivia Porter; a Present upon a New-years Day
3. Praise and Prayer
4. The Coquet
5. To a Mistress Dying

Ella Wilcox Life and Death ("Three days agone, and she was here") 1872

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