If thou dost bid thy friend farewell, But for one night though that farewell may be, Press thou his hand in thine. How canst thou tell how far from thee Fate or caprice may lead his steps ere that to-morrow comes? Men have been best known to lightly turn the corner of a street, And days have grown to months, and months to lagging years, Ere they have looked in loving eyes again. Parting, at best, is underlaid With tears and pain. Therefore, lest sudden death should come between, Or time, or distance, clasp with pressure firm The hand of him who goeth forth; Unseen, Fate goeth too. Yes, find thou always time to say some earnest word Between the idle talk, Lest with thee henceforth, Night and day, regret should walk. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN OLD SWEETHEART [OF MINE] by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY ECSTACY by KENNETH SLADE ALLING PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 63. AL-HAIY by EDWIN ARNOLD THE PASSING SHOW by AMBROSE BIERCE THE ECCENTRIC by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN ON A GRAVE IN THE FOREST by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT |