Young Man Poem by Francis Duggan

Young man why go to war live for as long as you can
A dead young brave soldier not as great as a living cowardly old man
The famous dead people though they live in renown
Are no better than the other dead of the town
Live for as long as you can though you may look old and gray
'Tis soon enough amongst the dead you must lay
Respect to the scythe of the reaper do show
As this may be the only life you'll ever know
A life hereafter may have some credence or be based on a lie
But I cannot understand why one should wish to die
If the letters R I P are signed to your name
What use to you then is your great public fame
I'd love for to enjoy a lengthy life span
And die in my sleep as a very old man.