The Alternative - 1908

If, some day, you should find me, cold and stark If you should stumble o'er my lifeless clay In some still thoroughfare or public park And sadly say: 'Alack, and had he lived, as like as not He'd reigned with Bent!' I should not care a jot. If I should die in some by-way obscure, And you should come across my silent corse In its last sleep, my spirit would - be sure Know no remorse. 'Twere better that I thus had ceased to live If life with Bent were the alternative. I say, if I should die, and all alone; And, dying thus, escape the wiles of Bent; O'er my remains I'd have you make no moan, Nor yet lament. But let relief be mingled with your woe; And murmur o'er my clay, ''Twere better so.' Nay, if you came, as in my bier I lay, And sald, 'Who knows? If this had not occurred' I should arise in my grave-clothes and say, 'Don't be absurd!' And, being safely out of Tommy's reach, I'd probably get out and make a speech. I'd tell you, 'Better have a monument Above my head and, coffined, lie at rest Than live in some Cabinet with Bent Upon my chest.' And, having said all that was to he said, I should continue being very dead.