Goblin Market, The Prince’s Progress, and Other Poems · Christina Georgina Rossetti

Chapter 39: Wife to Husband

Pardon the faults in me, For the love of years ago: Good-bye.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-bye.I must gird myself and run, Though with unready feet: I must die.

Blank sea to sail upon, Cold bed to sleep in: Good-bye.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-bye:--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-bye.We, one, must part in two; Verily death is this: I must die.