Take back the heart that thou gavest,
What is mine anguish to thee;
Take back the freedom thou cravest,
Leaving the anguish to me.
Take back the vows thou has spoken,
Fling them aside and be free;
Smile o’er each pitiful token,
Leaving the sorrow for me.
Drink deep of life’s fond illusion,
Gaze on the storm-cloud and flee
Swiftly through strife and confusion,
Leaving the burden to me.

Then when at last overtaken,
Time flings it fetters o’er thee;
Come with a trust still unshaken,
Come back in sadness or sorrow,
Once more my darling to be;
Come as of old, love, to borrow
Glimpses of sunlight from me.
Love shall resume her dominion,
Striving no more to be free,
When on her world-weary pinion
Flies back my lost love to me.