I die alive(robert southwell)

• O life what lets thee from a quicke decease?
•   O death what drawes thee from a present pray?
• My feast is done, my soule would be at ease,
•   My grace is said, O death come take away.

• I live, but such a life as ever dies,
•   I die but such a death, as never ends,
• My death to end my dying life denies,
•   And life my living death no whit amends.

• Thus still I die, yet still I do revive,
• My living death by dying life is fedd:
• Grace more then nature keepes my hart alive,
•   Whose Idle hopes and vaine desires are dead.

• Not where I breath, but where I love I live,
•   Not where I love, but where I am I die:
• The life I wish, must future glory give,
•   The deathes I feele, in present dangers lie.