Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900.

By George WashingtonBethune

320 It Is Not Death to Die

IT is not death to die,

To leave this weary road,

And, midst the brotherhood on high,

To be at home with God.

It is not death to close

The eye long dimmed by tears,

And wake in glorious repose,

To spend eternal years.

It is not death to bear

The wrench that sets us free

From dungeon-chain, to breathe the air

Of boundless liberty.

It is not death to fling

Aside this sinful dust,

And rise on strong, exulting wing,

To live among the just.

Jesus, thou Prince of Life,

Thy chosen cannot die!

Like Thee, they conquer in the strife,

To reign with Thee on high.