| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| Charles II. of Spain to Approaching Death |
| | | Eugene Lee-Hamilton (b. 1845) |
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| MAKE way, my lords! for Death now once again | |
| Waits on the palace stairs. He comes to lay | |
| His finger on my brow. Make way! make way, | |
| Ye whispering groups that scent an ending reign! | |
| Death, if I make thee a grandee of Spain, | 5 |
| And give thee half my subjects, wilt thou stay | |
| Behind the door a little, while I play | |
| With life a moment longer? I would fain. | |
| Oh, who shall turn the fatal shadow back | |
| On Ahaz’ sundial now? Who ’ll cure the king | 10 |
| When Death awaits him, motionless and black? | |
| Upon the wall the inexorable thing | |
| Creeps on and on, with horror in its track. | |
| The king is dying. Bid the great bells ring. | |
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