That one, and this—and this—
Whose presence with us here
We often sadly miss:
They made the city dear.
But one by one they pass
And step across the line;
Their places fill up fast
By others for a time.
So they will in their time
Lie down, and then go out
Beyond the city line
Upon a strange new route.
To where your road will lead?
Why, to the city fair;
But you must give good heed
To passage and to fare.
Why can we not transport
This city over there?
Let others hold the fort
Until we claim our share.
Oh, may I there see you
Beyond this border line?
And may you see me, too,
For that would be sublime.
God grant my second birth,
Within that city fair,
Be likened to the first,
With familiar faces there.
Whose presence with us here
We often sadly miss:
They made the city dear.
But one by one they pass
And step across the line;
Their places fill up fast
By others for a time.
So they will in their time
Lie down, and then go out
Beyond the city line
Upon a strange new route.
To where your road will lead?
Why, to the city fair;
But you must give good heed
To passage and to fare.
Why can we not transport
This city over there?
Let others hold the fort
Until we claim our share.
Oh, may I there see you
Beyond this border line?
And may you see me, too,
For that would be sublime.
God grant my second birth,
Within that city fair,
Be likened to the first,
With familiar faces there.
[8]
