Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume III. Sorrow and Consolation. 1904. | | | | II. Parting and Absence | | “Farewell!—but whenever” | | Thomas Moore (1779–1852) |
| | | FAREWELL!—but whenever you welcome the hour | |
| That awakens the night-song of mirth in your bower, | |
| Then think of the friend that once welcomed it too, | |
| And forgot his own griefs, to be happy with you. | |
| His griefs may return—not a hope may remain | 5 |
| Of the few that have brightened his pathway of pain— | |
| But he ne’er can forget the short vision that threw | |
| Its enchantment around him while lingering with you! | |
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| And still on that evening when Pleasure fills up | |
| To the highest top sparkle each heart and each cup, | 10 |
| Where’er my path lies, be it gloomy or bright, | |
| My soul, happy friends! will be with you that night; | |
| Shall join in your revels, your sports, and your wiles, | |
| And return to me, beaming all o’er with your smiles— | |
| Too blest if it tell me that, ’mid the gay cheer, | 15 |
| Some kind voice has murmured, “I wish he were here!” | |
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| Let Fate do her worst, there are relics of joy, | |
| Bright dreams of the past, which she cannot destroy; | |
| Which come in the night-time of sorrow and care, | |
| And bring back the features which joy used to wear. | 20 |
| Long, long be my heart with such memories filled! | |
| Like the vase in which roses have once been distilled— | |
| You may break, you may shatter the vase, if you will, | |
| But the scent of the roses will hang round it still. | | | | |
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