Life! I Know Not What Thou Art

LIFE! I know not what thou art,

But know that thou and I must part;

And when, or how, or where we met

I own to me's a secret yet.

   Life! We've been long together

Through pleasant and through cloudy weather,

'Tis hard to part when friends are dear, --

Perhaps 'twill cost a sigh, a tear;

-- Then steal away, give little warning,

   Choose thine own time;

Say not Good Night, -- but in some brighter clime

   Bid me Good Morning.

Anna Lætitia Barbauld