A Woman's Farewell

SO with this farewell kiss I taste at last

The all of life; the Future and the Past

Upon your dear lips dwell.

Love will not come again, though I implore;

And in my heart a twilight evermore —

Farewell!

A man's heart is so wide that I was wrong

To dream that I could fill it with the song

A woman loves so well;

A woman's heart is narrow, but I filled

Mine brimming with your kisses — none was spilled —

Farewell!

So fierce your love was, I was half-afraid.

The roses blossom and the roses fade;

The withered petals tell!

So high into your heart you lifted me,

So far I have to fall, since it must be

Farewell!

Now all the world I fashioned round me falls;

And from the past one memory calls and calls,

Grieving, and like a knell;

Now all the days like drear regrets shall seem,

And all the nights — the nights! ..I dare not dream!

Farewell!

But what if I can hold you, hold you yet

Till all else but my lips you must forget:

If love could but compel!

But all the mystic hopes our hearts have heard

Must droop and wither to this wistful word —

Farewell!

My love was like a little child to me;

Now in my heart 't is crying piteously —

Hush, dear! all will be well!

My lips on yours for ever! Say again

You love me — though it be not true — and then —

Farewell!