| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| The Utmost |
| | | Edward Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st earl of Lytton (1831–91) |
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| SOME clerks aver that as the tree doth fall | |
| Even forever so that tree shall lie, | |
| And that Death’s act doth make perpetual | |
| The last state of the souls of men that die. | |
| If this be so,—if this, indeed, were sure, | 5 |
| Then not a moment longer would I live; | |
| Who, being now as I would fain endure, | |
| If man’s last state doth his last hour survive, | |
| Should be among the blessed souls? I fear | |
| Life’s many changes, not Death’s changelessness. | 10 |
| So perfect is this moment’s passing cheer, | |
| I needs must tremble lest it pass to less. | |
| Thus but in fickle love of life I live, | |
| Lest fickle life me of my love deprive. | |
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