Poems (Barker)/The Warning

by Alice J. Green Barker

The Warning.

Brothers, I am surely going!
 E're I leave this world of sin,
Let a boon companion tell you
 What a weight I feel within.
Let me urge you to forsake 1it,
 This the wine cup's maddening spell,
Which, with all its fateful fury
 Brought my spirit down to hell.

Comrades, come up nearer to me,
 You have ceased your jests to-night,
And are strangely hushed and quiet
 When "death's angel" stands in sight.
I must cross the rapid river,
 You this stream will some day pass;
Am I ready? Heaven answer.
 Will you be? My friends, alas!

'Tis a strange, perplexing question,
 Last night I would rudely scorn
Such a thought, but I shall surely
 Meet my Judge before the morn.
Many souls I've led to ruin,
 Now death stares me 1n the face;
And I am the veriest coward,
 Seeking for a hiding place.

Comrades lift me up a little!
 Surely you are not afraid!
Do you see the dreaded monster
 Standing by me all arrayed?
Promise me, my boon companions,
 That you'll leave this den of sin!
And before the morrow finds you,
 Life's great lesson will begin.

Brought to death by mortal combat,
 Sent to meet a soul in hell,
Dark as mine, for I am going
 Where I sent him, boys, farewell!
No! Don't leave me yet, my comrades,
 It's not long you'll have to stay,
Truly it is almost over,
 Promise, ere I go away.

Oh, my God! Is there no mercy?
 Wine Thou curse of human kind!
Leading spotless spirits downward
 To that place for sin assigned.
Oh, farewell! I cannot see you;
 With my latest dying breath,
Boys, I warn you, boys, I warn you,
 Do not die a drunkard's death.