Why Shrink from Death?
by: Agathias (c. 536-582 AD)
translated by W. Shepherd
Why shrink from death, the parent of repose,
The cure of sickness and all human woes?
As through the tribes of men he speeds his way,
Once, and but once, his visit he will pay;
Whilst pale diseases, harbingers of pain,
Close on each other crowd, an endless train.
