Round me now, beneath the weeping willow, <br />Night's refreshing breezes blow; <br />Anguish drove me from a sleepless pillow <br />Hours and hours ago. <br />You, and you alone, may know my sorrow-- <br />You, my confidante of yore-- <br />You, my loved one, when I must, tomorrow <br />Lose forever more! <br /> <br />Farewell, my loved one! <br />Yet once more <br />Let me press you to my heart; <br />Once, our Fate, with cruel fingers, <br />Tears our souls apart. <br /> <br />Though you may forget it, I remember-- <br />Yes! for sweet it was to know-- <br />What you told me in that dear December, <br />Years and years ago. <br />Whisper once again a truth so cheering, <br />Would you not those words deny; <br />And the sound shall linger in my hearing, <br />Even till I die. <br /> <br />Fondly let the last adieu be spoken, <br />Since we must our dreams dismiss; <br />These heart-linklets, since they must be broken <br />Break them with a kiss. <br />Then, though bitter tears will still be flowing, <br />One sweet confort may I claim, <br />As I walk this world of changes--knowing <br />You are still the same. <br /> <br />While my treasure I relinquish, let me <br />Wish you heart-wealth that endures; <br />Even should you by and by forget me, <br />Faithful friends be yours. <br />May you never know a life so lonely, <br />Or a sky so dark above! <br />May you never having one love only, <br />Lose that only love!<br /><br />Henry Clay Work<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/farewell-my-loved-one/
