Ballads and Lyrics of Old France (63)

    KISS me, and say good-bye； Good-bye, there is no word to say but this, Nor any lips left for my lips to kiss, Nor any tears to shed, when these tears dry； Kiss me, and say, good-bye.

    Farewell, be glad, forget； There is no need to say 'forget,' I know, For youth is youth, and time will have it so, And though your lips are pale, and your eyes wet, Farewell, you must forget.

    You shall bring home your sheaves, Many, and heavy, and with blossoms twined Of memories that go not out of mind； Let this one sheaf be twined with poppy leaves When you bring home your sheaves.

    In garnered loves of thine, The ripe good fruit of many hearts and years, Somewhere let this lie, grey and salt with tears； It grew too near the sea wind, and the brine Of life, this love of mine.

    This sheaf was spoiled in spring, And over-long was green, and early sere, And never gathered gold in the late year From autumn suns, and moons of harvesting, But failed in frosts of spring.

    Yet was it thine my sweet, This love, though weak as young corn withered, Whereof no man may gather and make bread； Thine, though it never knew the summer heat； Forget not quite, my sweet.