Why should we start, and fear to die? What tim'rous worms we mortals are! Death is the gate of endless joy, And yet we dread to enter there. O, if my Lord would come and meet, My soul would stretch her wings in haste, Fly, fearless, through death's iron gate, Nor feel the terrors as she passed. Jesus can make a dying bed Feel soft as downy pillows are, While on His breast I lean my head, And breathe my life out sweetly there.