And may not absence hide thee, for a time,
Then give thee fairer back? Oh! I will trust.
And as beyond the clouds I know the sun
Shines, though I see him not, my spirit’s eye
Thy form shall trace, though absent, and thy soul,
E’en when thou know’st it not, shall soft respond
To some kind thought of mine. Thus, though forever
Thy absence last, we shall not wholly part.
But now, awhile, farewell! and may each boon,
By Heav’n most prized, fall richly to thy lot.