Nor will a brave man choose to live when he,

Full deeply drunk of life, has reached the dregs,

And knows that now but bitterness remains.

He is the coward who, outfaced in this,

Fears the false goblins of another life.

I honor him who being much harassed

Drinks of sweet courage until drunk of it,—

Then seizing Death, reluctant, by the hand,

Leaps with him, fearless, to eternal peace!

BEHIND THE ARRAS