Immortality

Full well I trow that when I die

Down drops the curtain;

Another show is all my eye

And Betty Martin.

I know the score, and with a smile

Of rueful rating,

I reckon I am not worth while

Perpetuating.



I hope that God,--if God there be

Of love and glory,

Will let me off Eternity,

And end my story.

Will count me just a worn-out bit

Of human matter,

Who's done his job or bungled it,

--More like the latter.



I did not beg for mortal breath,

Plus hell or Heaven;

So let the last pay-off be death,

And call it even.

To Nature I will pay my debt

With stoic laughter:

But spare me, God, your awful threat

Of Life Here-after!