XL. When I did part, my soul did part from me

Robert Tofte (1561–1620)

WHEN I did part, my soul did part from me;

And took his Farewell of thy beauteous ey’n:

But now that I, returned, do thee see;

He is returned, and lives through kindness thine:

And of thee looketh for a Welcome Home.

I then, not any more, to sorrow need;

Now I am come: and if before, alone,

On Shadow then; on Substance how I feed.

So if my parting bitter was and sad:

Sweet ’s my return to thee, and passing glad.