Classic Poem

I

Dear little fellow, don't forget —
Leaving you now, that I love you yet!
Just as I did in a far, fair day
When your eyes were light, and your smile was May,
In the beautiful — beautiful far-away!
Dear little fellow, don't forget —
Leaving you now, that I love you yet!

II

Dear little fellow, don't forget —
Leaving you now, that my eyes are wet
With tears for the years that may come to you
When the shadows darken your eyes of blue,
And the dreams are false where the dreams seemed true!
In the desolate darkness don't forget —
Leaving you now, that I love you yet!

III

Dear little fellow! Life is but this:
A glad Good-morning — a Good-night kiss —
A hope, a fear, and a falling tear —
A cross to clasp and a cross to bear,
And laurels and thorns for the brows to wear!
But dear little fellow, don't forget —
Leaving you now, that I love you yet!