Page:Dialogue between a blind man and death.pdf/6

( 6 ) But tell me now, when did your Pow'r commence.

Death. My Power began from Adam's firſt Offence,

Blind Man. From Adam's firſt Offence! O baſe Beginning,

Whoſe very firſt Original was Sinning.

Death. My Riſing did from Adam's fall begin,

And ever ſince my Strength and Sting from Sin.

Blind Man To know wherein the En’mies Strength doth lie,

In my Conceit its half the Victory.

Have you Commiſſion now for what you do?

Death, Yes, I Commiſſion have, what's that to you.

Blind Man. Yes, very much for now I underſtand.

I am not altogether at your Command:

My Life's at his, who gave you the Commiſſion,

To him I'll therefore go with my Petition;

I'll ſeek his Love and in his Mercy truſt,

And when my Sins are Pardon'd do your worſt.

Death. That you may know how far my Pow'r extends,

I will divorce you from your deareſt Friends;

You ſhall reſign your Jewels, Money, Plate,

Your earthly Joys ſhall be out of Date;

I will deprive you of your dainty Fare,

And ſtrip you to the Skin, naked and bare;

Linnen or Woolen you ſhall have to wind you,

As for the reſt, all muſt be left behind you.

Bound Hand and Foot, I'll bring you to my Den,

Where conſtant dreadful Darkneſs reigns, and then

Your only dwelling Houſe ſhall be a Cave,

Your lodging Room a little narrow Grave;

A Cheſt your Cloſet, and a Sheet your Dreſs,

And your Companions Worms and Rottennefs.

Blind