A FAREWELL.

Go, sun, since go you must,

The dusky evening lowers above our sky,

Our sky which was so blue and sweetly fair;

Night is not terrible that we should sigh.

A little darkness we can surely bear;

Will there not be more sunshine — by and by?

Go, rose, since go you must,

Flowerless and chill the winter draweth nigh;

Closed are the blithe and fragrant lips which made

All summer long perpetual melody.

Cheerless we take our way, but not afraid:

Will there not be more roses — by and by?

Go, love, since go you must,

Out of our pain we bless you as you fly;

The momentary heaven the rainbow lit

Was worth whole days of black and stormy sky;

Shall we not see, as by the waves we sit,

Your bright sail winging shoreward — by and by?

Go, life, since go you must,

Uncertain guest and whimsical ally!

All questionless you came, unquestioned go;

What does it mean to live, or what to die?

Smiling we watch you vanish, for we know

Somewhere is nobler living — by and by.