Palinode

Still thirteen years: 'tis autumn now On field and hill, in heart and brain; The naked trees at evening sough; The leaf to the forsaken bough Sighs not,- '_Auf wiedersehen!_' Two watched yon oriole's pendent dome, That now is void, and dank with rain, And one,- oh, hope more frail than foam! The bird to his deserted home Sings not,- '_Auf wiedersehen!_' The loath gate swings with rusty creak; Once, parting there, we played at pain: There came a parting, when the weak And fading lips essayed to speak Vainly,- '_Auf wiedersehen!_' Somewhere is comfort, somewhere faith, Though thou in outer dark remain; One sweet sad voice ennobles death, And still, for eighteen centuries saith Softly,- '_Auf wiedersehen!_' If earth another grave must bear, Yet heaven hath won a sweeter strain, And something whispers my despair, That, from an orient chamber there, Floats down, '_Auf wiedersehen!_'