Louisa Sarah Bevington

For Freedom’s Sake

FOR freedom's sake, farewell. I would not fret you
With a dim sense of bonds about your heart;
Be freed of all my loving; let us part;
Let nothing chain your conscience, nor beset you.
A little while, may be, I must regret you;
A little while--a little tender while
Perchance the tears will well up when I smile
In whispering your name, ere I forget you.

But we have chosen freedom; so I make
Here,--as we part for weeks, for years, for life,--
My promise: I will whet my will's keen knife
And one by one all memory's fetters break.
Ah! go. Forget, forgive love's lingering strife!
One kiss?--our last. Goodbye,--"for freedom's sake."