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17. Separation
12 May 1853
12 May 1853
Unlike Rambler's first two poems (“The Heart's Lament” and “Love Concealed,” nos. 10 and 11), both of which were published in Orion's Hannibal Daily Journal, “Separation” appeared in the rival town newspaper, the Hannibal Missouri Courier. This oddity casts some doubt on Clemens' authorship of the poem: it is conceivable that the “Rambler” who signed the verses in the Courier was someone who wished to take advantage of the success of the Journal's columnist. Unfortunately, none of the three poems contributes any evidence to solve this problem.
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Will all their hues of brightness wither!
The loveliest just bud and bloom,
Then drooping fade away forever.Ⓐemendation
Yet, if as each sweet rose-bud dies
Its leaves are gathered, they will shed
A perfume that shall still arise
Though all its beauteous tints are fled.
And thus while kindred bosoms heave,
And hearts at meeting fondly swell,
How soon, alas! those hearts must breathe
The parting sigh, the sad farewell.
Yet, from such moments, as from flowers,
Shall friendship with delight distil,
A fragrance that shall hold past hours
Embalmed in memory's odor still.
Separation
The sweetest flowers alas! how soonWill all their hues of brightness wither!
The loveliest just bud and bloom,
Then drooping fade away forever.Ⓐemendation
Yet, if as each sweet rose-bud dies
Its leaves are gathered, they will shed
A perfume that shall still arise
Though all its beauteous tints are fled.
And thus while kindred bosoms heave,
And hearts at meeting fondly swell,
How soon, alas! those hearts must breathe
The parting sigh, the sad farewell.
Yet, from such moments, as from flowers,
Shall friendship with delight distil,
A fragrance that shall hold past hours
Embalmed in memory's odor still.
Rambler.
Editorial Emendations Separation
Ⓐ
forever. (I-C) •
forever[,]
The first printing appeared in the Hannibal Missouri Courier for 12 May 1853 (p. 3). The only known copy of this printing, in MoHist, is copy-text. Since the poem was published in the rival town paper, it is unlikely that Clemens typeset it, although he may have proofread it. There are no textual notes.