Absence and death are the same--only that in death there is no suffering.

Absence and death are the same--only that in death there is no suffering.

The absent are never without fault, nor the present without excuse.

The absent are never without fault, nor the present without excuse.

Wives in their husbands' absences grow subtler,
And daughters sometimes run off with the butler.

Wives in their husbands' absences grow subtler,
And daughters sometimes run off with the butler.

Absences are a good influence in love and keep it bright and delicate.

Absences are a good influence in love and keep it bright and delicate.

For there's nae luck about the house;
There's nae luck at aw;
There's little pleasure in the read more

For there's nae luck about the house;
There's nae luck at aw;
There's little pleasure in the house
When our gudeman's awa.
- William Julius Mickle,

The absent are never without fault. Nor the present without excuse.

The absent are never without fault. Nor the present without excuse.

'Tis said that absence conquers love;
But oh! believe it not
I've tried, alas! its power to read more

'Tis said that absence conquers love;
But oh! believe it not
I've tried, alas! its power to prove,
But thou art not forgot.

How like a winter hath my absence been
From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year!
What read more

How like a winter hath my absence been
From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year!
What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen!
What old December's bareness everywhere!

It takes time for the absent to assume their true shape in our thoughts. After death they take on a read more

It takes time for the absent to assume their true shape in our thoughts. After death they take on a firmer outline and then cease to change.