A Farewell
A Farewell
Original Text
Andromeda and Other Poems (London: John W. Parker, 1858): 64. PR 4842 .A5 Robarts Library
2No lark could pipe to skies so dull and grey:
3Yet, ere we part, one lesson I can leave you
4 For every day.
II
5Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever;6Do noble things, not dream them, all day long:
7And so make life, death, and that vast for-ever
8 One grand, sweet song.
Notes
1] Kingsley's collected works include a revised version of this work, entitled "A Farewell To C. E. G.", in Poems (London: Macmillan, 1889): 284, but it is debatable whether or not it improves on the original.
My fairest child, I have no song to give you;Back to Line
No lark could pipe in skies so dull and gray;
Yet, if you will, one quiet hint I'll leave you,
For every day.I'll tell you how to sing a clearer carol
Than lark who hails the dawn or breezy down;
To earn yourself a purer poet's laurel
Than Shakespeare's crown.Be good, sweet maid, and let who can be clever;
Do lovely things, not dream them, all day long;
And so make Life, and Death, and that For Ever,
One grand sweet song.
Publication Start Year
1858
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
RPO 2001
Rhyme