When fairer faces turn from me,
And gayer friends grow cold,
And I have lost through poverty
The friendship bought, with gold;
When I have served the selfish turn
Of some all-worldly few,
And Folly’ s lamps have ceased to burn,
Then I’ ll come back to you.
When my admirers find I’ m not
The rising star they thought,
And praise or blame is all forgot
My early promise brought;
When brighter rivals lead a host
Where once I led a few,
And kinder times reward their boast,
Then I’ ll come back to you.
You loved me, not for what I had
Or what I might have been.
You saw the good, but not the bad,
Was kind, for that between.
I know that you’ ll forgive again —
That you will judge me true;
I’ ll be too tired to explain
When I come back to you.