AT PARTING

Love of my life, the time has come for parting —

For, dearest, I must leave you while we care!

Leave you while tears of vain regret are starting,

While I can look at you and find you fair.

Could we endure a morn of bitter waking,

Could we accept a love that would seem less?

Dear, I must go the while my heart is breaking —

Go while my world is filled with happiness.

Love of my soul, our dream has been so flaming,

That, if we waited, it might smoulder down —

Leaving dead ashes only, ashes shaming

All that was vivid — ashes dimly brown.

We will have memories as sweet as flowers,

We who have left, untouched, Fate's cup of woe;

Kiss me once more to bridge life's aching hours —

Love of my heart — the time has come to go!