64 NOSTALGIA
Reading edition
—After Alphonse Moreau.
Were the All-Mother wise, life (shaped anotherwise) Would be all high and true; Could I be otherwise I had been otherwise Simply because of you.... With whom I have naught to do, And who are no longer you! Life with its pay to be bade us essay to be What we became,—I believe Were there a way to be what it was play to be I would not greatly grieve.... Hearts are not worn on the sleeve. Let us neither laugh nor grieve! BUT, OH, THE WORLD IS WIDE, DEAR LASS, THAT I MUST WANDER THROUGH, AND MANY A WIND AND TIDE, DEAR LASS, MUST FLOW ’TWIXT ME AND YOU, ERE LOVE THAT MAY NOT BE DENIED SHALL BRING ME BACK TO YOU, —DEAR LASS! SHALL BRING ME BACK TO YOU.