Ae Fond Kiss, by the Scottish poet Robert Burns, is widely recognised as being one of the most poignant songs of lost love ever written. A brief affair with a Mrs Agnes Craig McLehose (known to Burns as Nancy) ended with her decision to join her estranged husband in Jamaica. Her parting gift to Burns was a lock of her hair which he had set in a ring. His gift to her included the poem, the first verse of which reflects Burns' feelings of resignation and despair:
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae fareweel, alas, for ever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee!
