Book 2 — Life, I Know Not What Thou Art

Life! I know not what thou art,

But know that thou and I must part;

And when, or how, or where we met

I own to me's a secret yet.

Life! we've been long together

Through pleasant and through cloudy weather;

'Tis hard to part when friends are dear—

Perhaps 'twill cost a sigh, a tear;

Then steal away; give little warning,

Choose thine own time;

Say not Good Night, but in some brighter clime

Bid me Good Morning.

Anna L. Barbauld.