Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Alexander Pope. 16881744442. The Dying Christian to his Soul
VITAL spark of heav’nly flame! | |
Quit, O quit this mortal frame: | |
Trembling, hoping, ling’ring, flying, | |
O the pain, the bliss of dying! | |
Cease, fond Nature, cease thy strife, | 5 |
And let me languish into life. | |
Hark! they whisper; angels say, | |
Sister Spirit, come away! | |
What is this absorbs me quite? | |
Steals my senses, shuts my sight, | 10 |
Drowns my spirits, draws my breath? | |
Tell me, my soul, can this be death? | |
The world recedes; it disappears! | |
Heav’n opens on my eyes! my ears | |
With sounds seraphic ring! | 15 |
Lend, lend your wings! I mount! I fly! | |
O Grave! where is thy victory? | |
O Death! where is thy sting? |