O tender dove, sweet circling in the blue,
Whom now a delicate cloud receives from view,
A cool, soft, delicate cloud, we name dim Death!
O pure white lamb-lily, inhaling breath
From spiritual ether among bowers
Of evergreen in the ever-living flowers,
Yonder aloft upon the airy height,
Mine eyes may scarce arrive at thy still light!
Wandering ever higher, oh, farewell!
Wilt thou the dear God tell
We loved thee well,
While He would lend thee? Why may we not follow?
Do thou remember us in our dim hollow!
Farewell, love! oh, farewell, farewell, farewell!
We wave to thee, as when of old
Thou waved, and we waved, heart of gold!
Parting for a little while!
And is all parting only for a while?
O faint perfume from realms beyond the sky!
Waft of a low celestial melody!
O pure live water from our earthly well,
Whom Love changed to a heavenly ænomel.
The while he kissed the bowl with longing lip,
And drew the soul therein to fellowship!
Shimmer of white wings, ere ye vanish!
Glimmer of white robes, ere ye banish,
With your full glory, mortal eyes
From paradise!
So far, so far,
Little star!
Unless thine own dear happiness it mar,
Remember us in our low dell,
Who love thee well!
Farewell!