THE CHOICE
Reading edition
If Death should come to me to-night, and say: “I weigh thy destiny; behold, I give One little day with this thy love to live, Then, my embrace; or, leave her for alway, And thou shalt walk a full array of years; Upon thee shall the world’s large honours fall, And praises clamorous shall make for all Thy strivings rich amends.” If in my ears Thou saidst, “I love thee!” I would straightway cry, “A thousand years upon this barren earth Is death without her: for that day I die, And count my life for it of poorest worth.” Love’s reckoning is too noble to be told By Time’s slow fingers on its sands of gold.