English Poem “Early Adieux” of poet Adam Lindsay Gordon complete poem with summery for Students.

Early Adieux

Adam Lindsay Gordon

Adieu to kindred hearts and home,

To pleasure, joy, and mirth,

A fitter foot than mine to roam

Could scarcely tread the earth ;

For they are now so few indeed

(Not more than three in all),

Who e’er will think of me or heed

What fate may me befall.

For I through pleasure’s paths have run

My headlong goal to win,

Nor pleasure’s snares have cared to shun

When pleasure sweetened sin.

Let those who will their failings mask,

To mine I frankly own ;

But for them pardon will I ask

Of nonesave Heaven alone.

From carping friends I turn aside ;

At foes defiance frown ;

Yet time may tame my stubborn pride,

And break my spirit down.

Still, if to error I incline,

Truth whispers comfort strong,

That never reckless act of mine

E’er worked a comrade wrong.

My mother is a stately dame,

Who oft would chide with me ;

She saith my riot bringeth shame,

And stains my pedigree.

I’d reck not what my friends might know,

Or what the world might say,

Did I but think some tears would flow

When I am far away.

Perchance my mother will recall

My memory with a sigh ;

My gentle sister’s tears may fall,

And dim her laughing eye ;

Perhaps a loving thought may gleam,

And fringe its saddened ray,

When, like a nightmare’s troubled dream,

I, outcast, pass away.

Then once again farewell to those

Who e’er for me have sighed ;

For pleasures melt away like snows,

And hopes like shadows glide.

Adieu, my mother ! if no more

Thy son’s face thou may’st see,

At least those many cares are o’er

So ofttimes caused by me.

My lot is fixed ! The die is cast !

For me home hath no joy !

Oh, pardon then all follies past,

And bless your wayward boy !

And thou, from whom for aye to part

Grieves more than tongue can tell,

May Heaven preserve thy guileless heart !

Sweet sister, fare thee well !

Thou, too, whose loving-kindness makes

My resolution less,

While from the bitter past it takes

One half its bitterness,

If e’er you held my memory dear,

Grant this request, I pray

Give to that memory one bright tear,

And let it pass away.