Youth whisper, “Death” ... because they feel it close?

And Youth’s poor boldness makes it still more close?

Youth always speaks on death by proper right;

He has but left it when he enters life

While Graybeard’s years have dulled the sense that knew

Prenatal death, and now its imminence

Stifles his speech.... While Youth, Youth only dares!

So I ... hearing such bootless thoughts on death,

Oblivion, rest, eternal pain, reward....

Somehow they think death lasts, and seek to lie