LAST WORD
Reading edition
Let no man call me coward that I will die And dip no more my bread in living’s foul And muddy stream; but, God, accept my soul Which into air so soon must wandering fly. For I have never hated you at all, You brother men, albeit that you must Hate all such dust as is not of your dust, Content for power to strive and hate and brawl. But to you who have laughed and holpen one another, You few gay valiant souls amid the rabble, I say—“God knows I have loved you!” Then forgive Me in whose heart is no more power to live: Who must with this poor gesture break the bubble Which held us here on Earth brother to brother.