Immortality

Full well I trow that when I die
Down drops the curtain;
Another show is all my eye
And Betty Martin.
I know the score, and with a smile
Of rueful rating,
I reckon I am not worth while
Perpetuating.

I hope that God,--if God there be
Of love and glory,
Will let me off Eternity,
And end my story.
Will count me just a worn-out bit
Of human matter,
Who's done his job or bungled it,
--More like the latter.

I did not beg for mortal breath,
Plus hell or Heaven;
So let the last pay-off be death,
And call it even.
To Nature I will pay my debt
With stoic laughter:
But spare me, God, your awful threat
Of Life Here-after!