Forgive as I forgive

We parted, and in anger,

With half-averted eye,

You gave back ev'ry token

Of joyous hours gone by;

But one long day of absence

Chased anger from my mind,

And I remember'd only

How good thou wert, how kind;

With sadden'd heart I sought thee,

Thy brow was clouded yet, --

Forgive as I forgive thee;

Forget, as I forget.

The chain of pure affection

Was never snapt apart

By thoughtless words of anger

Which came not from the heart;

And yet for worlds I would not

Such hours of anguish live,

Not even for the pleasure

Of hearing thee forgive;

By all the pangs I suffered,

By all thy past regret,

Forgive, as I forgive thee;

Forget, as I forget.