Forgive me for needing you
to be strong forever.
Forgive me for fearing
your unhappiness.

As you suffer
so I shall suffer.

As you endure
so I shall endure.

Hold my hands
and walk the old walk
one last time,
then let me go.

Come back, true love! Sweet youth, return!—
But time goes on, and will, unheeding,
Though hands will reach, and eyes will yearn,
And the wild days set true hearts bleeding.