Ella Wheeler Wilcox (Элла Уилкокс)
Alcohol’s Requiem upon Prof. P.F.K., a Gifted man, Who Died a Victim to Strong Drink
Ho! ho! Father Death! I have won you another! Another grand soul I have ruined and taken; I, who am licensed by good Christian people, Eat and eat at their souls till by angels forsaken: I spoil them, I soil them, and past all reclaiming They fall, sick with sins that are too black for naming. Ho! ho! Father Death! count me as your best man: I bring you more souls than famine or battle. Let pestilence rage! it will last but a season, And the soft voice of peace stills the cannon's loud rattle; But I, pausing never, with ceaseless endeavor, Night and day, day and night, I am toiling for ever. Ho! ho! Father Death! I have brought you my thousands: Good people help me, license, uphold me, Gaze on some victim I stole from their household-- Gaze, and upbraid the foul demon that sold me. Ah! but they helped him--argued and voted Till license was granted, and I was promoted. Ho! ho! Father Death! is he not a grand victim? I bring you souls that are well worth the winning-- Noble and brave, with the rare gifts of heaven; But I eat them away and pollute them with sinning. Now, but for me there would be few above him, Honored and prized by the dear ones who love him.
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