[BNP/E3, 78A – 35]

Documents of Mental Decadence.

Delirium.

Familiar Conversation.

Disappointment, my old friend,

I had forgot thou wert with me.

Forgive me. I did half pretend,

Deceiving ill my misery,

That thou hadst gone. Forgive me thou.

Thou old true friend, thou'rt with me now!

Despair, my old companion sure,

Thou too — though not forgotten quite —

Yet for a moment I had fewer

Thoughts of thee — |somewhat of| respite.

Entirely to forget thee were

Impossible. Friend, thou art here!

And thou, old comrade, Solitude,

Bare of affection and of hope,

Thou twin with me — I were quite[1] rude

Were I to omit by thee to stop

And play the game of cares and fears?...

Why come ye to shame me[2], oh tears?

Alexander Search

August 6 – 1908.

[1] I were quite ^{/were I not\}

[2] Why come ye to shame me ^{/No more I have no terms.\}