A Farewell

My fairest child, I have no song to give you;
   No lark could pipe to skies so dull and gray;
Yet, ere we part, one lesson I can leave you
                    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.

                                     ~ Charles Kingsley