Anna Letitia Barbauld (1743–1825)

LIFE! I know not what thou art,

But know that thou and I must part;

And when, or how, or where we met,

I own to me’s a secret yet.

Life! we’ve been long together,

Through pleasant and through cloudy weather;

’Tis hard to part when friends are dear—

Perhaps ’twill cost a sigh, a tear;

Then steal away, give little warning,

Choose thine own time;

Say not Good-night,—but in some brighter clime

Bid me Good-morning.