| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
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| 625. The Last Good-By |
| | | By Louise Chandler Moulton |
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| HOW shall we know it is the last good-by? | |
| The skies will not be darkened in that hour, | |
| No sudden blight will fall on leaf or flower, | |
| No single bird will hush its careless cry, | |
| And you will hold my hands, and smile or sigh | 5 |
| Just as before. Perchance the sudden tears | |
| In your dear eyes will answer to my fears; | |
| But there will come no voice of prophecy,— | |
| No voice to whisper, “Now, and not again, | |
| Space for last words, last kisses, and last prayer, | 10 |
| For all the wild, unmitigated pain | |
| Of those who, parting, clasp hands with despair:”— | |
| “Who knows?” we say, but doubt and fear remain, | |
| Would any choose to part thus unaware? | |
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