Death

DEATH is like the insect

      Menacing the tree,

Competent to kill it,

      But decoyed may be.

Bait it with the balsam,

      Seek it with the knife,

Baffle, if it cost you

      Everything in life.

Then, if it have burrowed

      Out of reach of skill,

Ring the tree and leave it,—

      'T is the vermin's will.