BEFORE PARTING.

Now surely is the hour come for farewell,

Now, with the lessened light and darkened days.

Who now would tread the wild hill's pathless ways?

We found so fair when Spring and Summer's spell

Made blind our hearts this parting to foretell.

Yet why, while wan and wintry sunlight stays

On perished gold of Autumn fields, delays

Your heart to speak, while both our hearts rebel?

Together we have gathered through the year

All that the year could give us of its best,

Is it not meet our parting should be here,

Now in the season drear of death and rest?

Yet since together we its joys have known

How shall each meet the strange New Year alone.