Chamfort

There's Chamfort He's a sample 
Locked himself in his library with a gun. 
Shot off his nose and shot out his right eye 
And this Chamfort knew how to write 
And thousands read his books on how to live. 
But he himself didn’t know 
How to die by force of his own hand — see? 
They found him a red pool on the carpet 
Cool as an April forenoon. 
Talking and talking gay maxims and grim epigrams 
Well, he wore bandages over his nose and right eye, 
Drank coffee and chatted many years 
With men and women who loved him 
Because he laughed and daily dared Death 
"Come and take me."