If God

If God Almighty thus" did speak to me:
"My son, I grant permission unto thee
To have thy Death as thou thyself shalt say;"
Thus unto my Creator I would pray:

''Let it be autumn, when the zephyrs sway
The sere leaves wherewith mellow sunbeams play;
And let me hear once more the sad, sweet song
Of errant birds, that will be missed ere long.

"And unperceived, as winter's chilling breath
Wafting oe'r autumn bearing subtle Death
Thus let Death come; most welcome will he be
If I observe him when he's close to me.
"Like to the birds, again I will outpour

A mellower tune than e'er I sang before,
A song which moves the heart, makes dim the eyes
And mounts up swelling to the very skies.

"And, as my swan song draweth to its end,
My sweetheart fair and true may o'er me bend;
Thus would I die, caressing her fair face,
Kissing the one on earth who holds most grace.

"But if the Lord this boom should disallow.
With spring of war let Him the land endow;
When the rose-blooms that color earth again
Are blood-red roses in the breasts of men.

"May nightingales of war — the trumpets — thrill
Men's souls, and with heroic passion fill;
May I be there, and where the bullets shower
O, let my heart put forth a deadly flower.

"Falling beneath the horse's iron heel,
Here also may a kiss my pale lips seal;
Thus would I die while I Thy kiss obtain.
Liberty, who 'mid heavenly hosts dost reign!"