Poems (Edwards)/I cannot say Farewell
I CANNOT SAY FAREWELL.
I cannot, cannot say "farewell," In silence let us part,In silence let 'us' break the chain That binds us, heart to heart;No—that were vain, our hearts have been Too long linked up in one,To be, by this last parting scene, For evermore undone.
I cannot, dare not, say "farewell," Take back thy hand, I pray,—Take back thy hand, I cannot breathe That solemn word to-day;I've said "farewell" in other days, But now 'twould break my heart;In holy silence go thy way, If we are doomed to part.
I cannot, cannot say "farewell," My heart is full of tears,O let us part in silence now, Too many are my fears,—Too many are my broken hopes' To breathe that bitter word;"Good bye!" if thou wilt press my hand, Let not "farewell" be heard.