FAREWELL

Farewell, farewell for ever,
        I cannot more remain;
Far wider things our hearts do sever
        Than continent or main -
Pride and distaste and inaptness
To feel each other's joy, distress.

Farewell, farewell for ever;
        Be it not said by thee
My heart was weaker, thy heart braver
        In mutual misery
But parted were we, be it said,
As are the living from the dead.

Farewell, farewell for ever,
        Since love left not behind
Nor even friendship nor endeavour
        Nor sorrow mad or kind.
'Tis fit indeed those souls be parted
That cannot e'er be broken-hearted.

Farewell, farewell for ever;
        'Tis time this thing were done,
When love is cold which was a fever
        And vulgar as a stone,
When life from woe to woe doth flee
And change itself is misery.