Classic Poem

The fatal moments come and fly
Farewell my life! my soul, my heart!
Nice 'twere easier far to die
Than thus from love and thee to part:
Where can I hope to find repose?
Where from my own sad thoughts be free?
And thou — who knows — alas! who knows?
If thou wilt thus remember me!

My memory's poor troubled ghost
Unseen, and yet forever nigh,
Amid gay crowds, when courted most,
Will sometimes haunt thee with a sigh:
Far as Earth spreads — Long as time flows,
Where'er thou art, that shade will be,
And yet who knows — alas! who knows?
If thou wilt thus remember me!

I, on the distant shore you leave,
Must wander by the rocks and strand,
To listen to their moan and grieve
And tidings from the main demand:
From morning's dawn 'till evenings close
Calling thy name to Earth and Sea
But thou — who knows — alas! who knows
If thou wilt thus remember me!

How can I see each much lov'd spot
So happy once — when thou hast flown?
How bear to be, where thou art not?
How pass the hours — once thine — alone?
From pleasures lost, grief deeper grows,
Through memory's bitter alchemy
And yet who knows — alas! who knows?
If thou wilt still remember me!

'Twas here — beside this fountain's edge... —
Thus will I think — ... her high disdain
Flash'd forth — and here, her hand in pledge
Of peace she gave me once again.
Here, in my bosom, hope first rose —
Here love was whispered first to thee —
And thou — who knows — alas! who knows
If thou wilt thus remember me!

Dearest! farewell — farewell! — we part —
In the new home henceforward thine,
Faith, vows, and incense, many a heart
Will haste to offer at thy shrine:
Among their prayers — O heaven! — suppose,
Not all unwelcome, some should be,
Nice, who knows — alas! who knows —
If thou wilt then remember me?

And yet, bethink thee love, how dear
How pure the flame thou leav'st behind,
Remember every hope and fear
And doubt that lingers in my mind:
Remember all our joys and woes —
All we have been — and yet might be —
Remember love! but ah! who knows?
If thou wilt still remember me!