Thou Shalt Not Kill

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <h2> THOU SHALT NOT KILL </h2> <h2> By Gilbert Chesterton </h2> <p> I had grown weary of him; of his breath<br/> And hands and features I was sick to death.<br/> Each day I heard the same dull voice and tread;<br/> I did not hate him: but I wished him dead.<br/> And he must with his blank face fill my life&mdash;<br/> Then my brain blackened; and I snatched a knife.<br/> <br/> But ere I struck, my soul's grey deserts through<br/> A voice cried, 'Know at least what thing you do.'<br/> 'This is a common man: knowest thou, O soul,<br/> What this thing is? somewhere where seasons roll<br/> There is some living thing for whom this man<br/> Is as seven heavens girt into a span,<br/> For some one soul you take the world away&mdash;<br/> Now know you well your deed and purpose. Slay!'<br/> <br/> Then I cast down the knife upon the ground<br/> And saw that mean man for one moment crowned.<br/> I turned and laughed: for there was no one by&mdash;<br/> The man that I had sought to slay was I.<br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />