Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The Suicide's Argument

Ere the birth of my life, if I wished it or no No question was asked me--it could not be so ! If the life was the question, a thing sent to try And to live on be YES; what can NO be ? to die.: NATURE'S ANSWER
Is't returned, as 'twas sent ? Is't no worse for the wear ? Think first, what you ARE ! Call to mind what you WERE ! I gave you innocence, I gave you hope, Gave health, and genius, and an ample scope, Return you me guilt, lethargy, despair ? Make out the invent'ry ; inspect, compare ! Then die--if die you dare !

1811, published 1828, 1829, 1834

(proofed against E. H. Coleridge's 1927 edition of STC's poems)