Parting

But that I knew before we met,

The howre would come that we must part,

And so had fortifi'd my heart,

I hardly could escape the net,

My Passions for my Reason set.

But why should Reason hope to win

A Victory that's so unkind,

And so unwelcome to my mind,

To yeeld is neyther shame nor sin.

Besieg'd without, betray'd within.

But Friends ne're part (to speak aright)

For who's but going is not gone;

Friends like the Sun must still move on,

And when they seem most out of sight,

Their absence makes at most but night?

And though that night be ne're so long,

In it they eyther sleep or wake,

And eyther way enjoyments take,

In Dreams or Visions which belong

Those to the old, these to the yong.

I'm old when going, gone 'tis night,

My Parting then shall be a Dreame,

And last till the auspicious Beame

Of our next meeting gives new light,

And the best Vision that's your sight.