Death

Death is a road our dearest friends have gone; Why with such leaders, fear to say, "Lead on?" Its gate repels, lest it too soon be tried, But turns in balm on the immortal side. Mothers have passed it: fathers, children; men Whose like we look not to behold again; Women that smiled away their loving breath; Soft is the travelling on the road to death! But guilt has passed it? men not fit to die? O, hush -- for He that made us all is by! Human we're all -- all men, all born of mothers; All our own selves in the worn-out shape of others; Our used, and oh, be sure, not to be ill-used brothers!