GOOD-BYE

GOOD-bye, yes, I’ve decided It’s best—it should not go on, The quite delightful companionship You and I, for some time, have known. No, do not try to dissuade me, I’ve thought it most carefully o’er, To arrive at but one conviction— We must see each other no more.

And you think to sever our friendship By a mere putting away, Letting the same, as it were, slip from us Nor permitting me to say, A word in defence of its going As if I’d no right to share In the matter of decision I ask you,—Is it fair?

Man-like you refuse to reason To see it’s the only way, That the step really should have been taken Even before to-day. With you ’tis quite diff’rent,—the matter,— You’ve priv’lege entire of your life; But my freedom bows to restriction,— I am another man’s wife.

Yes, another man’s wife, but the honor The Fates have conferred, it would seem He doesn’t the quite appreciate,— At least, ’tis the knowledge I gleam. From observing his attitude towards you, Which I’m sure,—and you can but agree, Is not in the least in keeping with what A husband’s towards a wife should be.

And his failing you think permits me Favor to accept at your hands, That the vow I took at the altar Ceases to impose its demands. In sickness or health I promised, “For better or worse”,—till the day, He who gave should in his judgment See fit to take away.

And you’ll let it bind you, that promise, To a man who does not care; Whose int’rest is the thoroughly selfish, In whose secrets—you do not share, Listen, dear, the priv’lege of Mortals,— To get what we can out of life. Free yourself from the bond that is irksome And find happiness, as my wife.

Nay, not so, the rule of living Holds faithful but to the one test; Nor counts it—another’s transgression, We must give of ourselves—our best. Of no use to appeal the exception, The truth remains fix’ed alway, So, good-bye, it must be,—and, God bless you,— There is nothing more to say.