{"id":2067,"date":"2019-05-02T00:45:32","date_gmt":"2019-05-02T00:45:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/142.150.46.75\/poemsandfancies\/?p=2067"},"modified":"2019-05-02T03:44:23","modified_gmt":"2019-05-02T03:44:23","slug":"a-battle-between-life-and-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/?p=2067","title":{"rendered":"A Battle between Life and Death"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is a cru\u00ebl battle \u2019twixt<\/span>1<\/sup><\/a><\/span> two foes;
\nWhen Nature will decide it, none yet knows.
\nThese two are Life and Death, which th\u2019world<\/span>2<\/sup><\/a><\/span> divide,
\nAnd whilst<\/span>3<\/sup><\/a><\/span> it lasts, the cause will none<\/span>4<\/sup><\/a><\/span> decide.
\nFirst, Life is active, seeking to enjoy,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5
\nAnd Death is envious, striving<\/span>5<\/sup><\/a><\/span> to destroy.
\nWhen Life a curious piece of work doth make,
\nAnd thinks she will therein some pleasure<\/span>6<\/sup><\/a><\/span> take,
\nThen in comes Death, with rancor and with spleen,
\nDestroys it so, that nothing can be seen,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10
\nFor fear the<\/span>7<\/sup><\/a><\/span> ruins beauty might present,
\nLeaves not so much to make<\/span>8<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Life\u2019s monument.
\nThis makes Life mourn, to see her pains and cost
\nDestroyed, for what she doth in Death is lost.
\nWeeping, complains at Nature\u2019s cruelty,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 15
\nThat only made her for<\/span>9<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Death\u2019s slave to be.
\n\u201cI am his food; his sharp teeth do<\/span>10<\/sup><\/a><\/span> me tear;
\nWhen<\/span>11<\/sup><\/a><\/span> I cry he no<\/span>12<\/sup><\/a><\/span> pity hath, nor care.
\nThe pain he puts me in doth make me roar,
\nAnd his pale face that\u2019s grim affrights me sore.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 20
\nAnd when I think<\/span>13<\/sup><\/a><\/span> away from him to run,
\nI fall<\/span>14<\/sup><\/a><\/span> into his jaws, no ways can shun.
\nBut why do I thus sigh, mourn, and lament,<\/span>15<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nAnd use no means his inj\u2019ry to prevent?<\/span>16<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nI will call all my friends their strength to try;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 25
\nEither I\u2019ll<\/span>17<\/sup><\/a><\/span> perish quite, or Death shall die.\u201d
\nThen brings she Motion, nimble at each turn,
\nAnd Courage, which like to fire doth<\/span>18<\/sup><\/a><\/span> burn,
\nPreventing and inventing wits, to make
\nSconces and forts, too strong for death to take.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 30
\nA regiment of arts, which<\/span>19<\/sup><\/a><\/span> with their skill
\nAssault<\/span>20<\/sup><\/a><\/span> her foes, and them sometimes do<\/span>21<\/sup><\/a><\/span> kill.
\nA brigade of clear strengths stands<\/span>22<\/sup><\/a><\/span> firm and sure,
\nAnd can all fierce<\/span>23<\/sup><\/a><\/span> assaults of Death endure.
\nA party of good<\/span>24<\/sup><\/a><\/span> healths, arm\u00e8d<\/span>25<\/sup><\/a><\/span> so well\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 35
\nAs Death how to destroy them cannot tell.
\nA troop of growths, at first small, weak, and low,
\nIncreasing every minute, numbers grow.
\nAnd many more such<\/span>26<\/sup><\/a><\/span> companies were<\/span>27<\/sup><\/a><\/span> there,
\nAs all the passions, chiefly Hope and Fear.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 40
\nLove leads<\/span>28<\/sup><\/a><\/span> this army, his motto a heart;
\nTheir arms are<\/span>29<\/sup><\/a><\/span> their free wills; all bear<\/span>30<\/sup><\/a><\/span> a part.
\nDeath\u2019s armies<\/span>31<\/sup><\/a><\/span> are<\/span>32<\/sup><\/a><\/span> all to destruction bent,
\nAs Wars and Famine, both these pestilent.
\nFury, Despair, and Rage did<\/span>33<\/sup><\/a><\/span> run about,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 45
\nSeeking which way that they may<\/span>34<\/sup><\/a><\/span> Life put out.
\nTroops, regiments, brigades in numbers are,<\/span>35<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nAs Sickness, Dullness, Grief, and Pensive Care.<\/span>36<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nOf Feeble Age were<\/span>37<\/sup><\/a><\/span> few; they scarce could<\/span>38<\/sup><\/a><\/span> stand,
\nYet in Death\u2019s battle, fight will<\/span>39<\/sup><\/a><\/span> hand to hand.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 50
\nHate leads<\/span>40<\/sup><\/a><\/span> the army in a dull slow pace,
\nAnd for his motto has<\/span>41<\/sup><\/a><\/span> a lean, pale face.
\nWith several weapons Death poor Life doth<\/span>42<\/sup><\/a><\/span> take
\nHer as a prisoner, and his slave doth<\/span>43<\/sup><\/a><\/span> make.
\nAnd on her ashes doth<\/span>44<\/sup><\/a><\/span> in triumph ride,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 55
\nAnd by his conquest swells he<\/span>45<\/sup><\/a><\/span> big with pride.<\/p>\n

Life\u2019s force was strong enough to keep her state,
\nIf Death had not befriended been with Fate,<\/span>46<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nFor she \u2019gainst Death could make her party good,<\/span>47<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nHad not the Fates her happiness withstood,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 60
\nWho spin<\/span>48<\/sup><\/a><\/span> the thread of life so small and weak,
\nThat of necessity it needs must break.
\nIf not, they cut it into pieces small
\nAnd give it Death, to make him nets withal
\nTo catch Life in;<\/span>49<\/sup><\/a><\/span> when closely she would hide\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 65
\nHerself from Death, she<\/span>50<\/sup><\/a><\/span> in this net is tied,
\nOr in the chains of destiny is hung,
\nThe world from side to side about is flung.
\nHaving no rest nor settlement, she<\/span>51<\/sup><\/a><\/span> flies
\nAbout from Death, and yet she<\/span>52<\/sup><\/a><\/span> never dies,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 70
\nRuns into several forms Death to avoid,<\/span>53<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nAnd yet those forms are all by Death destroyed.<\/span>54<\/sup><\/a><\/span>
\nDeath, like a snake, in Nature\u2019s bosom lies,
\nLike one that flatters, but i\u2019th\u2019heart<\/span>55<\/sup><\/a><\/span> envies.
\nAnd Nature seems to Life an enemy,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 75
\nBecause she still lets Death a conqu\u2019ror<\/span>56<\/sup><\/a><\/span> be.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There is a cru\u00ebl battle \u2019twixt two foes; When Nature will decide it, none yet knows. These two are Life and Death, which th\u2019world divide, And whilst it lasts, the cause will none decide. First, Life is active, seeking to enjoy,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5 And Death is envious, striving to destroy. When Life … Continue reading A Battle between Life and Death<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[218,230],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2067","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-part5","category-poems"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2067","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2067"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2067\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2072,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2067\/revisions\/2072"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2067"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2067"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/library2.utm.utoronto.ca\/poemsandfancies\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2067"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}