THE MESSENGER OF MORTALITY;
OR LIFE AND DEATH CONTRASTED IN A DIALOGUE BETWIXT DEATH AND A LADY.
[One of Charles Lamb’s most beautiful and plaintive poems was suggested by this old dialogue. The tune is given in Chappell’s Popular Music, p. 167. In Carey’s Musical Century, 1738, it is called the ‘Old tune of Death and the Lady.’ The four concluding lines of the present copy of Death and the Lady are found inscribed on tomb-stones in village church-yards in every part of England. They are not contained, however, in the broadside with which our reprint has been carefully collated.]
DEATH.
Fair lady, lay your costly robes aside,
No longer may you glory in your pride;
Take leave of all your carnal vain delight,
I’m come to summon you away this night!
What bold attempt is this? pray let me know
From whence you come, and whither I must go?
Must I, who am a lady, stoop or bow
To such a pale-faced visage? Who art thou?
DEATH.
Do you not know me? well! I tell thee, then,
It’s I that conquer all the sons of men!
No pitch of honour from my dart is free;
My name is Death! have you not heard of me?
LADY.