Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TERENCE'S FAREWELL, by HELEN SELINA SHERIDAN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TERENCE'S FAREWELL, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: So, my kathleen, you're going to leave me
Last Line: Ev'ry inch of the way that you go!
Alternate Author Name(s): Gifford, Lady; Dufferin, Lady
Subject(s): Farewell; Parting


SO, my Kathleen, you're going to leave me
All alone by myself in this place,
But I'm sure you will never deceive me --
Oh no, if there's truth in that face.
Though England's a beautiful city,
Full of illigant boys -- oh, what then?
You would not forget your poor Terence;
You'll come back to ould Ireland again.

Och! those English, deceivers by nature,
Though maybe you'd think them sincere,
They'll say you're a sweet charming creature,
But don't you believe them, my dear.
No, Kathleen, agrah! don't be minding
The flattering speeches they'll make;
Just tell them a poor boy in Ireland
Is breaking his heart for your sake.

It's folly to keep you from going,
Though, faith, it's a mighty hard case --
For, Kathleen, you know, there's no knowing
When next I shall see your sweet face.
And when you come back to me, Kathleen,
None the better will I be off then --
You'll be spaking such beautiful English,
Sure, I won't know my Kathleen again.

Eh, now, where's the need of this hurry?
Don't flutter me so in this way, --
I've forgot, 'twixt the grief and the flurry,
Every word I was maning to say;
Now just wait a minute, I bid ye, --
Can I talk if you bother me so?
Oh, Kathleen, my blessing go wid ye,
Ev'ry inch of the way that you go!





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