| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
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| Alexander Pope. 1688–1744 |
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| 442. The Dying Christian to his Soul |
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| VITAL spark of heav'nly flame! | |
| Quit, O quit this mortal frame: | |
| Trembling, hoping, ling'ring, flying, | |
| O the pain, the bliss of dying! | |
| Cease, fond Nature, cease thy strife, | 5 |
| And let me languish into life. | |
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| Hark! they whisper; angels say, | |
| Sister Spirit, come away! | |
| What is this absorbs me quite? | |
| Steals my senses, shuts my sight, | 10 |
| Drowns my spirits, draws my breath? | |
| Tell me, my soul, can this be death? | |
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| The world recedes; it disappears! | |
| Heav'n opens on my eyes! my ears | |
| With sounds seraphic ring! | 15 |
| Lend, lend your wings! I mount! I fly! | |
| O Grave! where is thy victory? | |
| O Death! where is thy sting? | |
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