With what a deep devotedness of woe
I wept thy absence--o'er and o'er again
Thinking of thee, read more

With what a deep devotedness of woe
I wept thy absence--o'er and o'er again
Thinking of thee, still thee, till thought grew pain,
And memory, like a drop that, night and day,
Falls cold and ceaseless, wore my heart away!

The absent are like children, helpless to defend themselves.

The absent are like children, helpless to defend themselves.

Thou art gone from my gaze like a beautiful dream.
And I seek then in vain by the meadow read more

Thou art gone from my gaze like a beautiful dream.
And I seek then in vain by the meadow and stream.

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!

Sometimes I need what only you can provide -- your absence.

Sometimes I need what only you can provide -- your absence.

Absence diminishes little passions and increases great ones, as wind extinguishes candles and fans a fire.

Absence diminishes little passions and increases great ones, as wind extinguishes candles and fans a fire.

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.

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.