LIFE S ASSURANCE,

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Ha! " Life's Assurance !"—Breathe I yet!I rushed within the gate—I metThe fleshless form—the orbless eye—The breast without a heart—a sigh—That man's worst foe declared! Around—Huge folios—bags of gold—embrownedWith dust of time:—Was gold the priceOf earth's still longed-for Paradise ?" Ah! give me years of vigour—health—•And take, O, take my sordid wealth!"

The spectre grimly smiled, and said :—" Thou fool—go, rest thee with the dead !Behold yon feeble withered crone-Like thee, she'd breathe, a thriftless drone-Like thee, she'd live o'er life again,Through years of feverish grief and pain.To-morrow, she must meet her doom—To-morrow, rest within the tomb!

" Thy days are numbered, too. Away!Thy mother earth now chides thy stay!Go—and, within her silent home,Await the life— the life to come!"