Thomas R. Lounsbury, ed. (1838–1915). Yale Book of American Verse. 1912.
AutumnJames Russell Lowell 1819–1891
James Russell Lowell132 Palinode
S
On field and hill, in heart and brain;
The naked trees at evening sough;
The leaf to the forsaken bough
Sighs not,—“Auf wiedersehen!”
That now is void, and dank with rain,
And one,—O, hope more frail than foam!
The bird to his deserted home
Sings not,—“Auf wiedersehen!”
Once, parting there, we played at pain;
There came a parting, when the weak
And fading lips essayed to speak
Vainly,—“Auf wiedersehen!”
Though thou in outer dark remain;
One sweet sad voice ennobles death,
And still, for eighteen centuries saith
Softly,—“Auf wiedersehen!”
Yet heaven hath won a sweeter strain,
And something whispers my despair,
That, from an orient chamber there,
Floats down,—“Auf wiedersehen!”