I agree with Drow that "Simplicity is added to the line through colloquial usage." Also it plain ol' scans better thataway.

Some years ago, a professor asked us to rewrite this poem, using modern images to give our own interpretations. Doing it was somewhat a puzzle. For example, who or what could be used in the place of Death, who was simultaneously so gentlemanly and, well, um, lethal? - Is anyone willing to have a go at a rewrite?

Tsyganka