Good-bye love-letter good-bye! ’T is her command …

How long I waited how long my hand

To the fire my joys to yield was loath! …

But eno’ the hour has come: burn letter of my love!

I am ready: listens more my soul to nought.

Now the greedy flame thy sheets shall lick …

A minute! … they crackle they blaze … a light smoke

Curls and is lost with prayer mine.

Now the finger’s faithful imprint losing

Burns the melted wax … O Heavens!

Done it is! curled in are the dark sheets;

Upon their ashes light the lines adored

Are gleaming … My breast is heavy. Ashes dear

In my sorrowful lot but poor consolation

Remain for aye with me on my weary breast …