THE WAY OF THE WORLD

When fairer faces turn from me,

And gayer friends grow cold,

And I have lost through poverty

The friendship bought, with gold;

When I have served the selfish turn

Of some all-worldly few,

And Folly’ s lamps have ceased to burn,

Then I’ ll come back to you.

When my admirers find I’ m not

The rising star they thought,

And praise or blame is all forgot

My early promise brought;

When brighter rivals lead a host

Where once I led a few,

And kinder times reward their boast,

Then I’ ll come back to you.

You loved me, not for what I had

Or what I might have been.

You saw the good, but not the bad,

Was kind, for that between.

I know that you’ ll forgive again —

That you will judge me true;

I’ ll be too tired to explain

When I come back to you.