Life

by Anna Laetitia Barbauld

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.