dots-menu
×

Home  »  The Book of Sorrow  »  Alfred Austin (1835–1913)

Andrew Macphail, comp. The Book of Sorrow. 1916.

‘Go away, Death’

Alfred Austin (1835–1913)

GO away, Death!

You have come too soon.

To sunshine and song I but just awaken,

And the dew on my heart is undried and unshaken;

Come back at noon.

Go away, Death!

What a short reprieve!

The mists of the morning have vanished, I roam

Through a world bright with wonder, and feel it home;

Come back at eve.

Go away, Death!

See, it still is light.

Over earth broods a quiet more blissful than glee,

And the beauty of sadness lies low on the sea;

Come back at night.

Come to me, Death!

I no more would stay.

The night-owl hath silenced the linnet and lark,

And the wailing of wisdom sounds sad in the dark;

Take me away.