Explore "Sonnet of the Instruments of Death" by David Park Barnitz on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Adorned daggers, ruby-hilted swords;
Huge mortal serpents in gold volumes roll'd;
All-holy poisons in wrought cups of gold;
Unfailing crucifixes of strong cords;
Mortal baptismal waters without fords, Wherein lie death's communicants untold --
Which of these instruments blessed and old, Is meetest for life's purple-robed lords?
Ye that commune in death's ciborium, Of all the vessels in his sacristy Which will ye choose to make of you a clod --
Sharp swords, bright lightnings, orient opium? --
All these, brave souls, are of one sanctity;
All ways are good whereby ye pass to God.