Death, be not proud, tho some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for thou art not soe.
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poore Death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.

From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure--then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do goe,
Rest of their bones, and souls deliverie.

Thou'rt slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sickness dwell,
And poppie or charmes can make us sleepe as well
And better than thy stroake. Why swell'st thou then?

One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more. Death, thou shalt die!

--John Donne