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| | “Come vedi, ancor non m’abbandona.” |
| DANTE. |
FAREWELL to one now silenced quite, | |
| Sent out of hearing, out of sight,— | |
| My friend of friends, whom I shall miss. | |
| He is not banished, though, for this,— | |
| Nor he, nor sadness, nor delight. | 5 |
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| Though I shall walk with him no more, | |
| A low voice sounds upon the shore. | |
| He must not watch my resting-place | |
| But who shall drive a mournful face | |
| From the sad winds about my door? | 10 |
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| I shall not hear his voice complain, | |
| But who shall stop the patient rain? | |
| His tears must not disturb my heart, | |
| But who shall change the years, and part | |
| The world from every thought of pain? | 15 |
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| Although my life is left so dim, | |
| The morning crowns the mountain-brim; | |
| Joy is not gone from summer skies, | |
| Nor innocence from children’s eyes, | |
| And all these things are part of him. | 20 |
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| He is not banished, for the showers | |
| Yet wake this green warm earth of ours. | |
| How can the summer but be sweet? | |
| I shall not have him at my feet, | |
| And yet my feet are on the flowers. | 25 |
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