"SAYONARA."
Which word, of all the words for parting made,
Seems best to say, and sweetest, being said?
Which holds most tenderness, and least despair,
And lingers longest in the loved one's ear?
O Yoshi San! O Fuku San! when we
Must say "Good-by," shall that the last word be,
Our English "God be with you?" or, in phrase
Of Persia, "Khuda hafîz"—"All your days
Heaven keep you!" Or, as the Egyptians do,
"Lailatak saïd!"—"Happy night to you!"
Or, in the Arab manner, hand on brow,
"Salaam aleikum!"—"Peace be with you now!"
Or, in the soft Italian—"Addio!"
"To God I give you, since—alas!—I go."
"Ora d' partenza!" Or, as they of Spain,
"Hasta la vista!"—"Till we meet again!"
