REMEMBER

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the
hand,

Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more, day by day, 5
You tell me of our future that you planned:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve: 10
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.
(1862)

ABNEGATION

If there be any one can take my place And make you happy whom I grieve to grieve,

Think not that I can grudge it, but believe

I do commend you to that nobler grace, That readier wit than mine, that sweeter face;

5

Yea, since your riches make me rich, conceive

I too am crowned, while bridal crowns I weave,

And thread the bridal dance with jocund

pace.

For if I did not love you, it might be That I should grudge you some one dear delight;

10

But since the heart is yours that was mine

own,

Your pleasure is my pleasure, right my right,

Your honorable freedom makes me free,
And you companioned I am not alone.

(1881)

TRUST

If I could trust mine own self with your fate,

Shall I not rather trust it in God's hand?

Without whose will one lily doth not stand, Nor sparrow fall at his appointed date; Who numbereth the innumerable sand, Who weighs the wind and water with a weight,

5

To whom the world is neither small nor great, Whose knowledge foreknew every plan we planned.

II

Searching my heart for all that touches you,
I find there only love and love's good-will
Helpless to help and impotent to do,
Of understanding dull, of sight most dim;
And therefore I commend you back to him
Whose love your love's capacity can fill.
(1881)