And If A Bullet

And if a bullet in the midst of strife Should still the pulse of this unquiet life Twere well: be death an everlasting rest, I oft could yearn for it, by cares opprest ; And be 't a night that brings another day, I still could go rejoicing on my way, Desiring in no phantom heav'n to dwell. Nor scared with terror of any phantom hell. But gazing now I find not death a curse Better than life perchance, at least not worse ; Only the fierce and rending agony, The torment of the flesh about to die. Affrights my soul ; but that shall pass anon, And death's repose or strife be found, that gone; Only with that last earthly ill to cope God grant me strength, and I go forth with hope.