| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| Death As the Fool |
| | | Frank T. Marzials (b. 1840) |
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| IN the high turret chamber sat the sage, | |
| Striving to wring its secret from the scroll | |
| Of time;—and hard the task, for roll on roll | |
| Was blurred with blood and tears, or black with age. | |
| So that at last a hunger seized him, a rage | 5 |
| Of richer lore than our poor life can dole, | |
| And loud he called on Death to dower his soul | |
| With the great past’s unrifled heritage. | |
| And lo, a creaking step upon the stair, | |
| A croak of song, a jingle,—and Death came in | 10 |
| Mumming in motley with a merry din | |
| And jangle of bells, and droning this refrain, | |
| “God help the fools who count on death for gain.” | |
| So had the sage death-bell and passing-prayer. | |
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