Classic Poem

" FAREWELL ! " Another gloomy word
As ever into language crept.
'Tis often written, never heard
Except

In playhouse. Ere the hero flits
(In handcuffs) from our pitying view,
" Farewell! " he murmurs, then exits
R. U.

" Farewell! " is much too sighful for
An age that has not time to sigh.
We say, " I'll see you later, " or
" Good-bye! "

" Fare well " meant long ago, before
It crept tear-spattered into song,
" Safe voyage! " " Pleasant journey! " or
" So long! "

But gone its cheery, old-time ring:
The poets made it rime with knell.
Joined, it became a dismal thing —
" Farewell! "

" Farewell! " Into the lover's soul
You see fate plunge the cruel iron.
All poets use it. It's the whole
Of Byron.

" I only feel — farewell! " said he;
And always tearful was the telling.
Lord Byron was eternally
Farewelling.

" Farewell! " A dismal word, 'tis true.
(And why not tell the truth about it?)
But what on earth would poets do