"Death"
By
Katherine Philips
- Transcription, correction, editorial commentary, and markup by Staff and Research Assistants at The University of Virginia, John O'Brien, Sara Brunstetter
119
Death.
1How weak a Star doth rule Mankindn001n001Our sun compared to others in the universe is considered weak, and yet if it explodes mankind dies.,
2Which owes its ruine to the same
3Causes which Nature had design'd
4To cherish and preserve the frame!
5As Commonwealths may be secure, And so our bodies turn traitorousn002a002We don’t fear outside violence but fear what is in our bodies. Such as mental illness, disease, or aging.
6And no remote Invasion dread;
7Yet may a sadder fall endure
8From Traitors in their bosom bred:
120
9So while we feel no violence,n003n003(DRAFT-I worry this is too interpretive)We are not privy to the knowledge of the world in that we can sense things for example a volcano erupting.
10And on our active Health do trust,
11A secret handn004n004Death or time.doth snatch us hence,
12And tumbles us into the dustn005n005Biblical reference, we start as dust, and then return to dust..
13Yet careleslyn006n006(DRAFT)As if we are untouchable by death.we run our race,
14As if we could Death's summons wave;
15And think not on the narrow spacen007n007(DRAFT)The narrow space refers to the limited lifespan.
16Between a Table and a Graven008n008A table in which you theoretically enter the world on, and a grave in which you exit the world in..
17But since we cannot Death reprieve,
18Our Souls and Fame we ought to mind,
19For they our Bodies will survive;
20That goes beyond, this stays behind.
21If I be sure my Soul is safe,
22And that my Actions will provide
23My Tomb a nobler Epitaphn009n009An inscription or written tribute in memory of a person on a tombstone. Source: Oxford English Dictionary,
24Thenn010n010(DRAFT) Is this supposed to read "then" or was this a mistake.that I onely liv'd and dy’d.
25So that in various accidents
26I Conscience may and Honour keep;
27I with that ease and innocence
28Shall die, as Infants go to sleep