On the fear of Death

Tho Men by nature Born to fear, to Die
May still account it a great misery,
When Piety and Prayer can't prevail,
To change the pow'r of that severe Intail;
Tho' all our Hearts, and Souls do still agree,
To frame our Minds to God's most bless'd Decree
Because no other means, (like that the best)
To bring Mankind to his Eternal Rest.
Yet our weak Faith cannot the credit gain,
By Heavenly joys, and glory to obtain,
Such Courage and a Valour so Divine,
Rather to Die with joy, than to repine
To part with fading pleasures; that no Age
Can for one moments certain time engage,
They shall abide; nor can find any cure,
That Men on Earth, for ever shall endure.
How great a shame and folly then, that we
Should fear to go, where we desire to be?
And so preferr our miseries on Earth,
Before a bless'd and glorious chearful Death;
That will in gratitude the surest way,
Our Souls to God in Paradise convey;
When Faith, with such a Zeal shall so comply,
'T will shew a Godly Gallantry to Die.