For the last time, maybe, upon the knoll <br />I stand. The eve is golden, languid, sad. <br />Day like a tragic actor plays his role <br />To the last whispered word and falls gold-clad. <br />I, too, take leave of all I ever had. <br /> <br />They shall not say I went with heavy heart: <br />Heavy I am, but soon I shall be free, <br />I love them all, but oh I now depart <br />A little sadly, strangely, fearfully, <br />As one who goes to try a mystery. <br /> <br />The bell is sounding down in Dedham vale: <br />Be still, O bell: too often standing here <br />When all the air was tremulous, fine and pale, <br />Thy golden note so calm, so still, so clear, <br />Out of my stony heart has struck a tear. <br /> <br />And now tears are not mine. I have release <br />From all the former and the later pain, <br />Like the mid sea I rock in boundless peace <br />Soothed by the charity of the deep-sea rain…. <br />Calm rain! Calm sea! Calm found, long sought in vain! <br /> <br />O bronzen pines, evening of gold and blue, <br />Steep mellow slope, brimmed twilit pools below, <br />Hushed trees, still vale dissolving in the dew, <br />Farewell. Farewell. There is no more to do. <br />We have been happy. Happy now I go.<br /><br />Robert Nichols<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/farewell-117/
