Death's Lament

WHAT IS DEATH YE MORTALS? NONE BUT I

WHAT IS DEATH YE MORTALS? NONE BUT I,
I, THE ENDING OF YOUR LONG LIVED DAY
AND HOW IT SEEMS THAT FAST THE HOURS FLY,
AND NO THING CAN MY DREADFUL POWERS STAY.
THE DEATH OF CHILDREN CARELESS AT THEIR PLAY,
THE ANCIENT ELDER CAUGHT IN FEVER'S CHILL,
THESE THINGS I UNDERSTAND, PAINS TAKE AWAY,
BUT SOME DEEDS I DO NOT AND NEVER WILL.
WHY GLUT YOURSELF ON FLESH THAT DOES NOT FILL
WHY SEEK WITH SCIENCE, KNIVES YOUR EYES TO BLIND?
WHY STRIVE WITH THOUSAND STABS YOUR SOUL TO KILL?
—I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS DEATH-OF-MIND.
LORD, TELL ME WHEN SUCH EVIL THINGS SHALL CEASE,
MY LABORS ENDED AND THE WORLD IN PEACE.

Christ have mercy on the modern world.