A Selection from the Lyrical Poems of Robert Herrick

258. TO DEATH

     Thou bidst me come away,
     And I'll no longer stay,
     Than for to shed some tears
     For faults of former years;
     And to repent some crimes
     Done in the present times;
     And next, to take a bit
     Of bread, and wine with it;
     To don my robes of love,
     Fit for the place above;
     To gird my loins about
     With charity throughout;
     And so to travel hence
     With feet of innocence;
     These done, I'll only cry,
     'God, mercy!' and so die.