| Francis T. Palgrave, ed. (1824–1897). The Golden Treasury. 1875. | | | | J. Shirley | | | | LXVIII. The Last Conqueror | | | | VICTORIOUS men of earth, no more | | | Proclaim how wide your empires are; | | | Though you bind-in every shore | | | And your triumphs reach as far | | | As night or day, | 5 | | Yet you, proud monarchs, must obey | | | And mingle with forgotten ashes, when | | | Death calls ye to the crowd of common men. | | | | | Devouring Famine, Plague, and War, | | | Each able to undo mankind, | 10 | | Death's servile emissaries are; | | | Nor to these alone confined, | | | He hath at will | | | More quaint and subtle ways to kill; | | | A smile or kiss, as he will use the art, | 15 | | Shall have the cunning skill to break a heart. | | | |
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