Poems (Rossetti, 1901)/Wife to Husband
WIFE TO HUSBAND.
PARDON the faults in me, For the love of years ago; Good-bye. 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-bye. I must gird myself and run, Though with unready feet: I must die.
Blank sea to sail upon, Cold bed to sleep in: Good-bye.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-bye:—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-bye.We, one, must part in two; Verily death is this: I must die.