Eternal Torment

Eternal Torment.

“Infinite years in torments shall I spend, And never, never, never, have an end? Ah! must I live in torturing despair As many years as atoms in the air? When these are spent, as many thousands more As grains of sand that crowd the ebbing shore. When these are done, as many yet behind As leaves of forest shaken with the wind. When these are gone, as many to ensue As blades of grass on hills and dales that grew. When these run out, as many on the march As starry lamps that gild the spangled arch. When these expire, as many millions more As moments in the millions passed before. When all these doleful years are spent in pain, And multiplied by myriads yet again Till numbers drown the thought, could I suppose That then my wretched years would have a close, This would afford some ease; but oh! I shiver, To think upon the dreadful sound for EVER; The burning gulf where I blaspheming lie Is time no more, but vast eternity.”