第57章 HIS YOUTH

"Dying? I am not dying? Are you mad?

You think I need to ask for heavenly grace?

_I_ think YOU are a fiend, who would be glad To see me struggle in death's cold embrace.

"But, man, you lie! for I am strong--in truth Stronger than I have been in years; and soon I shall feel young again as in my youth, My glorious youth--life's one great priceless boon.

"O youth, youth, youth! O God! that golden time, When proud and glad I laughed the hours away.

Why, there's no sacrifice (perhaps no crime)

I'd pause at, could it make me young to-day.

"But I'm not OLD! I grew--just ill, somehow;Grew stiff of limb, and weak, and dim of sight.

It was but sickness. I am better now, Oh, vastly better, ever since last night.

"And I could weep warm floods of happy tears To think my strength is coming back at last, For I have dreamed of such an hour for years, As I lay thinking of my glorious past.

"You shake your head? Why, man, if you were sane I'd strike you to my feet, I would, in truth.

How dare you tell me that my hopes are vain?

How dare you say I have outlived my youth?

"'In heaven I may regain it'? Oh, be still!

I want no heaven but what my glad youth gave.

Its long, bright hours, its rapture and its thrill -O youth, youth, youth! it is my YOUTH I crave.

"There is no heaven! There's nothing but a deep And yawning grave from which I shrink in fear.

I am not sure of even rest or sleep;

Perhaps we lie and THINK as I have here.

"Think, think, think, think, as we lie there and rot, And hear the young above us laugh in glee.

How dare you say I'm dying! I AM NOT.

I would curse God if such a thing could be.

"Why, see me stand! why, hear this strong, full breath -Dare you repeat that silly, base untruth?"

A cry--a fall--the silence known as death Hushed his wild words. Well, has he found his youth?