Death is an evil; had it been a boon

XLI

ἤ ὥσπερ Σαπφώ, ὅτι τὸ ἀποθνήσκειν
κακόν·     οἱ θεοὶ γὰρ οὕτω κεκρίκασιν·
απέθνησκον γὰρ ἄν·
-Aristotle, "Rhetoric." ii.23.

ϝἐσπερε, πάντα φέρεις, ὄσα φαίνολις ἐσκέδας’ αὔως·

  DEATH is an evil: had it been a boon, 
     Ah, then how soon 
  Would the Immortals die ! 
But never do the blessed ones grow weary 
     Of the sweet joys of breath: 
     'Tis Aphrodite's sigh—
"Ah for Adonis!"—makes the young spring dreary; 
  Lover from mortal lover severeth, 
And parting is the bitterness of death. 

  Yet silver Hesperus is fairer far 
    Than any star, 
  Sweet Hesperus that brings 
What morning scattered; and I know not whether 
    It be not best to lose 
  Awhile life's precious things 
For joy of sharing them afresh together; 
  They who would meet again to part must choose: 
The hour of evening every bliss renews.