The Poetical Works of William Motherwell/The Parting
The Parting.
Oh! is it thus we part,
And thus we say farewell,
As if in neither heart
Affection e'er did dwell?
And is it thus we sunder
Without or sigh or tear,
As if it were a wonder
We e'er held other dear?
We part upon the spot,
With cold and clouded brow,
Where first it was our lot
To breathe love's fondest vows!
The vow both then did tender
Within this hallowed shade[1]—
These vows we now surrender,
Heart-bankrupts both are made!
Thy hand is cold as mine,
As lustreless thine eye;
Thy bosom gives no sign
That it could ever sigh
Well, well! adieu's soon spoken,
'Tis but a parting phrase,
Yet said, I fear, heart-broken
We'll live our after days!
Thine eye no tear will shed;
Mine is as proudly dry;
But many an aching head
Is ours before we die!
From pride we both can borrow—
To part we both may dare—
But the heart-break of to-morrow,
Nor you nor I can bear!
- ↑ Within this moonlit glade.—MS. copy.