Life! I know not what thou art,

But know that thou and I must part;

And when, or how, or where we met,

I own to me’s a secret yet.

Life! we have been long together,

Through pleasant and through cloudy weather.

’Tis hard to part when friends are dear;

Perhaps ’twill cost a sigh, a tear.

Then steal away; give little warning;

Choose thine own time;