Imitation Of Lines Addressed By M. D—, A Young Man Of Twenty-Four Years Of Age, The Night Before His Execution, To A Young Lady To Whom He Was Engaged. — 1794.
18th Century Helen Maria Williams EnglishIMITATION OF LINES
ADDRESSED BY M. D—, A YOUNG MAN OF TWENTY-FOUR YEARS OF AGE, THE NIGHT BEFORE HIS EXECUTION, TO A YOUNG LADY TO WHOM HE WAS ENGAGED. — 1794.
I.
THE hour that calls to death is near, It brings to me no throb of fear; The breast that honour arms, can brave The murd'rer's steel, th' untimely grave; But thou, to whom I gave my heart, From thee for ever must I part? Wilt thou not hear my latest sigh? — Ah, 'tis a cruel task to die!
II.
To-morrow, my clos'd eyes no more Shall gaze on beauty I adore; To-morrow, sadd'ning every grace, Unceasing tears shall bathe thy face; To-morrow, chill'd by death's cold grasp, This hand no longer thine shall clasp; For thou — no more wilt thou be nigh — Ah, 'tis a cruel task to die!