What that called “Death”? A sea beyond, before;

Boundless, everlasting; no port, no shore.

And “Life”? An accident. Whether at birth it fall,

Or in a thousand years, concerns not Death at all!

Earth’s Decay

Bk. II. vv. 1145-1175

Ah! the good times, when Earth was young and new,

And, day by day, in strength and beauty grew;

When out of her bountiful bosom sprang