Classic Poem

'Twas affinity of spirit
That our hearts together drew
By a mutual attraction
Which was stronger than we knew.

We were upright both, and honest,
Understood each other well:
What we meant, although unspoken,
From the merest glance could tell.

Ah, how ardent was my longing
To be always by your side,
In a dolce far niente
As your comrade true and tried!

Yes, my dearest wish was always
That we nevermore might part;
And what pleased you I was ready
To perform with all my heart.

If you liked a thing I ate it,
And from what you loathed would turn,
And to smoke cigars, as you did,
Was determined I should learn;

And with many a Polish story
That was sure to raise a smile,
In the Jewish tongue, untiring,
Would the passing hours beguile.

Now instead of yearning sadly
As an alien ill at ease,
On your happy hearth how gladly
I had sat and warmed my knees!

Golden wishes! Airy bubbles! —
As my life is, brief and vain: —
From the floor where I am lying
I shall never rise again.

Pleasant hopes and golden wishes!
They are over now. Farewell!
Ah, that blow of mortal anguish
On my heart too sorely fell!