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Christina Rossetti: Poems

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, 10

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,-- 20


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. 30