Charles Kingsley

A Farewell

My fairest child, I have no song to give thee,

No lark could pipe to skies so dull and gray;

Yet, ere we part, one lesson I would leave thee,

For every day.


Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever;

Do noble things, not dream them all day long:

And so make life, death, and that vast forever

One grand, sweet song.