Classic Poem

Overgrowth

God spoke to haggard Death: “I bid thee cease
Thy grim destruction of unnumbered years,
For I am weary of my creatures' tears;
Until I call thee, go thy way in peace.”

And haughty Death, though scorning such release,
Obeyed; while millions on the ample spheres
Marveled to see, with many doubts and fears,
Humanity in wondrous ways increase.

Until, grown sure of life, all men disdained
The Mighty's boon and dreamed, in impious pride,
That they with immortality were blessed.
Then God in wrath called Death with power regained,
And suddenly the vile Earth, terrified,
Shrieked in the awful agonies of Pest!English