I SHOULD not dare to leave my friend,
Becauseâbecause if he should die
While I was gone, and Iâtoo lateâ
Should reach the heart that wanted me;
If I should disappoint the eyes
That hunted, hunted so, to see,
And could not bear to shut until
They ânoticedâ meâthey noticed me;
If I should stab the patient faith
So sure I âd comeâso sure I âd come,
It listening, listening, went to sleep
Telling my tardy name,â
My heart would wish it broke before,
Since breaking then, since breaking then,
Were useless as next morningâs sun,
Where midnight frosts had lain!