Classic Poem

This is the end of our day, my dear.
Nay, I know that the sun is glowing
High on the mountain above us here—
'Tis the smile of a friend in going.
Warmer now on your cheek he lingers,
Warmer now than in day's high noon,
Touching your eyes with his tender fingers,
Knowing the night shall come so soon.

This is the light of the hour of parting,
This is the holiest hour of all,
When the tears from the heart are starting
While the shades of the evening fall.
This is the hour when we closer cling
Than in our moment that was the maddest;
This is the fading of everything,
This is the happiest hour and saddest.

Nay, you smile and you look to meadows
Still a-swim in the shimmering sun;
See you not in the woods the shadows,
Telling us two that our day is done?
There are shades in the merriest day,
In the woods there are shadows ever;
There is an ending to every way,
There is an hour for us all to sever.

Life is a parting and not a meeting,
A comradeship of a lonely mile,
Only an hour for a passing greeting,
Only a friendship for a while.
Surely the God that has brought us twain
Into the world to walk together
Somewhere shall give us two again
Another day in the Summer weather.