Life

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’ve 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; Say not Good-night—but in some brighter clime Bid me Good-morning.

WILLIAM BLAKE 1757–1828