Alice Meynell

“Everlasting Farewells”

 "EVERLASTING FAREWELLS! AND AGAIN, AND
  YET AGAIN ... EVERLASTING FAREWELLS!"

                                        De Quincey


        "Farewells!" O what a word!
Denying this agony, denying the affrights,
Denying all De Quincey spoke or heard
In the infernal sadness of his nights.

        How mend these strange "farewells"?
"Vale"? "Addio"? "Leb'wohl"? Not one but seems
A tranquil refutation; tolling bells
That yet behold the terror of his dreams.