Poetry Archives

Fare-thee-well:
  On my soul the toll of bell
Trembles. Thou art calmly sleeping
While my weary heart is weeping:
  I cannot listen to thy knell:
    Fare-thee-well.

    Sleep and rest:
  Sorrow shall not pain thy breast,
Pangs and pains that pierce the mortal
Cannot enter at the portal
  Of the Mansion of the Blest:
    Sleep and rest.

    Slumber sweet,
  Heart that nevermore will beat
At the footsteps of thy lover;
All thy cares and fears are over.
  In thy silent winding-sheet
    Slumber sweet.

    Fare-thee-well:
  In the garden and the dell
Where thou lov’dst to stroll and meet me,
Nevermore thy kiss shall greet me,
  Nevermore, O Isabel!
    Fare-thee-well.

    We shall meet—
  Where the wings of angels beat:
When my toils and cares are over,
Thou shalt greet again thy lover—
  Robed and crowned at Jesus’ feet
    We shall meet.

    Watch and wait
  At the narrow, golden gate;
Watch my coming,—wait my greeting,
For my years are few and fleeting
  And my love shall not abate:
    Watch and wait.

    So farewell,
  O my darling Isabel;
Till we meet in the supernal
Mansion and with love eternal
  In the golden city dwell,
    Fare-thee-well.