Wife to Husband

Pardon the faults in me,
        For the love of years ago:
                Good by.
I must drift across the sea,
        I must sink into the snow,
                I must die.

You can bask in this sun,
        You can drink wine, and eat:
                Good by.
I must gird myself and run,
        Though with unready feet:
                I must die.

Blank sea to sail upon,
        Cold bed to sleep in:
                Good by.
While you clasp, I must be gone
        For all your weeping:
                I must die.

A kiss for one friend,
        And a word for two,—
                Good by:—
A lock that you must send,
        A kindness you must do:
                I must die.

Not a word for you,
        Not a lock or kiss,
                Good by.
We, one, must part in two:
        Verily death is this:
                I must die.