Well--the links are broken,All is past;
This farewell,when spoken,Is the last.
I have tried and striven All in vain;
Such bonds must be riven,Spite of pain,And never,never,never Knit again.
So I tell you plainly,It must be:
I shall try,not vainly,To be free;
Truer,happier chances Wait me yet,While you,through fresh fancies,Can forget;-And life has nobler uses Than Regret.
All past words retracing,One by one,Does not help effacing What is done.
Let it be.Oh,stronger Links can break!
Had we dreamed still longer We could wake,-
Yet let us part in kindness For Love's sake.
Bitterness and sorrow Will at last,In some bright to-morrow,Heal their past;But future hearts will never Be as true As mine was--is ever,Dear,for you ...
...Then must we part,when loving As we do?
