Classic Poem

This summer wind, with thee and me
Roams in the dawn of day;
But thou must be where it shall be,
Ere Evening — far away.1

The farewell's echo from thy soul
Should not depart before
Hills rise and distant rivers roll
Between us evermore.

I know that I have done thee wrong —
Have wronged both thee and Heaven —
And I may mourn my lifetime long
Yet may not be forgiven.

Repentant tears will vainly fall
To cancel deeds untrue;*
But for no grief can I recall
The dreary word — Adieu.

Yet thou a future peace shalt win
Because thy soul is clear;
And I who had the heart to sin
Will find a heart to bear.

Till far beyond earth's frenzied strife
That makes destruction joy,
Thy perished faith shall spring to life
And my remorse shall die.1 A variation of the last stanza of No. 162.