Page:Dialogue between a blind man and death.pdf/4

( 4 ) Sometimes I ſweep away whole Streets together

In Time of War, this much I can divine,

Whoever gets the Day the Triumph's mine.

I am indeed a very great Commander,

'Twas I that Conquer'd the great Alexander,

And after all the Victories he wan,

Compell'd him to confeſs himſelf a Man.

Were you Gollah great, or Samſon ſtrong,

Were you as wiſe and rich as Solomon,

Were you as Neſtor old, as Infant young

Had you the fareſt Cheeks, the ſweeteſt Tongue,

Yet you muſt ſtoop: all this would nought avail,

For my Arreſts will not admit of Bail.

For to deal plainly, Sir, my Name is Death,

And it's my Buſineſs to demand your Breath.

Blind Man. My Breath and Life ſhall both go out together.

Death. On the fame Errand 'twas that I came hither.

I'll have both Breath and Life without Delay,

You muſt and ſhall diſpatch ? come come away.

Blind Man. Why in ſuch poſting haſte? Pray change your mind

'Tis a poor Conqueſt to ſurpriſe the Blind.

Death. You may not call it poſting or ſurprize,

For you had warning when you loſt your Eyes:

Nor could you hope your House ſhould long be free,

When once your Windows were poſſeft by me.

Blind Man. But Life is ſweet, who would not if he might,

Have one long Day before be bids Good-night;

O ſpare me yet a while ſlight not my Tears!

Death Hard Hearts and hungry Bellies have no Ears,

Blind Man. I am not yet quite ready for the Table;

Death. All's one to me, I am inexorable,

yet