Though the starlings mock you, br You must say, Yes br Though the long train of history leaves the station, br Though the children wave goodbye from distancing windows, br You must say, Yes: br br Memory will have enough to do, without you br The future needs you not, nor any one, br But you must say, Yes, you br Have no right, not to follow on br In the wake of the green light, br In the wake of the red dawn br Following the pain or delight br That leads us on. br Confess: you must say, Yes, br br No, I will not leave you, br I will not leave you alone, br We have gone too far br To part, now; br Oft I complained br And sometimes wept br I was beaten down br And lifted up before my time, br And again cast down, br But you forced me to say Yes. br br And the tide rolls in, forever br Until the tide rolls out; br And I will not leave you br Even though you shout br Words of anger, or of fever br I bring sweet water to relieve you br On the long strand of a shore br Where we dwell forevermore br Hands clasped beneath the seaweed br Toes delving silver sand br Long hair flowing seaward br Fingers entwined. br br And no, I will not leave you br This side of the moon: br A rising wind may blow br But we will cling here now, br In secret cove; br The tide swells on. br I will not leave you, yet, Love. br br Have you seen, Love, how br The night rules our fate? br Sun came too early or too late, br And ne'er achieved the Now. br br And no, I will not leave you: br Furture slain br Past, too br I will remain. br br You must say Yes. br I whisper, Yes.