Who next thereafter, when speech is past,

To Him shall answer, who judges last!

[Pg 32]

Then search, with rigor, your minds' desire,

Then probe, in tremor, your souls' intent;

With hands and hearts clean and pure, aspire

To Him who knows what, within, you meant.

Yet, thither, mortals,

Your way is wending,

Where, on the portals,

Till time be ending,

There stands this sentence, without reprieve:

Here all shall enter—and none shall leave!

[Pg 33]

The earth devours you, with your achievements,

And locks together its jaws again,

If by beneficence, or bereavements,

You cheered, or injured, your fellow men—

But of this earth

Do not ask your measure;

 Prev. P 16/31 next