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It had been better to have died
Sole prey of death, and ended so,
Than to have dragged through endless time
One long, unbroken trail of woe.
Sole prey of death, and ended so,
Than to have dragged through endless time
One long, unbroken trail of woe.
To suffer, yet not expiate;
To die at last yet not atone;
To mourn our heirship to a guilt
Erased by innocent blood alone!
To die at last yet not atone;
To mourn our heirship to a guilt
Erased by innocent blood alone!
You lift your hands in shocked surprise,
You say enough I have not prayed;
Can prayer go back through centuries
And change the web of fate one braid?
You say enough I have not prayed;
Can prayer go back through centuries
And change the web of fate one braid?
Nay, own the truth, and say that we
Are but the bonded slaves of doom.
Unconscious to the cradle came,
Unwilling must go to the tomb.
Are but the bonded slaves of doom.
Unconscious to the cradle came,
Unwilling must go to the tomb.
I wait to find the meaning out
That lies beyond the bitter end;
Comfort yourself with wearying heaven,
I find no comfort, O my friend.
That lies beyond the bitter end;
Comfort yourself with wearying heaven,
I find no comfort, O my friend.
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