Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.

Christina Georgina Rossetti 1830–94

The Unseen World. IV. Wife to Husband

RossetCG

PARDON the faults in me,

For the love of years ago:

Good-by.

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-by.

I must gird myself and run

Though with unready feet:

I must die.

Blank sea to sail upon,

Cold bed to sleep in:

Good-by.

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-by:—

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-by:—

We, one, must part in two;

Verily death is this:

I must die.