A Farewell
Charles Kingsley, 1858
Charles Kingsley's short poem of parting advice to a young girl, telling her to be good and to do noble things rather than dream them.
I
My fairest child, I have no song to give you;No lark could pipe to skies so dull and grey:Yet, ere we part, one lesson I can leave youFor every day.
II
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 for-everOne grand, sweet song.