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Ella Wheeler Wilcox - Recriminatio
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I

Said Life to Death: “Methinks, if I were you,  
I would not carry such an awesome face  
To terrify the helpless human race;  
And if indeed those wondrous tales be true  
Of happiness beyond, and if I knew         
About the boasted blessings of that place,  
I would not hide so miserly all trace  
Of my vast knowledge, Death, if I were you:  
But, like a glorious angel, I would lean  
Above the pathway of each sorrowing soul,         
Hope in my eyes, and comfort in my breath,  
And strong conviction in my radiant mien,  
The while I whispered of that beauteous goal.  
This would I do if I were you, O Death.”  
  
II

Said Death to Life: “If I were you, my friend,          
I would not lure confiding souls each day  
With fair, false smiles to enter on a way  
So filled with pain and trouble to the end;  
I would not tempt those whom I should defend,  
Nor stand unmoved and see them go astray;         
Nor would I force unwilling souls to stay  
Who longed for freedom, were I you, my friend:  
But, like a tender mother, I would take  
The weary world upon my sheltering breast,  
And wipe away its tears, and soothe its strife;          
I would fulfil my promises, and make  
My children bless me as they sank to rest  
Where now they curse—if I were you, O Life.”  
  
III

Life made no answer, and Death spoke again:  
“I would not woo from God’s sweet nothingness          
A soul to being, if I could not bless  
And crown it with all joy. If unto men  
My face seems awesome, tell me, Life, why then  
Do they pursue me, mad for my caress,  
Believing in my silence lies redress          
For your loud falsehoods?” (so Death spoke again).  
“Oh, it is well for you I am not fair—  
Well that I hide behind a voiceless tomb  
The mighty secrets of that other place:  
Else would you stand in impotent despair,        
While unfledged souls straight from the mother’s womb  
Rushed to my arms and spat upon your face!”
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