TO MY SISTERS.
Reading edition
WRITTEN AFTER THEIR DEPARTURE FOR EUROPE.
———
BY ANNA CORA MOWATT.
———
Sweet sisters! have I on your lips
The farewell kiss imprest!
And are you sadly sundered now
From all who loved you best!
Must years roll on ere I again
Shall spring your kiss to meet?
Ere fondly clasped to yours this heart
Once more shall wildly beat?
Ye ocean waves that round them dash,
Oh, bear them on your breast,
E’en as the mother’s bears the babe
That sinks on hers to rest!
Oh! swell their sails, ye prosperous winds!
And waft them gently on,
And tell them with their smiles, alas!
Our sweetest joys are gone.
Though wide that ocean is, and deep,
Not all its waters blue
Could from my memory raze one hour,
Dear sisters! spent with you.
And though the wild wind’s angry roar
Might fill my soul with fear,
It could not drown the tones—your tones
Still sounding in mine ear.
It may be I no more shall list
That cherished music here;
Yet shall I greet it where ’twill sound
More softly sweet, more dear.
And though our lips must first be cold,
Our next kiss may be given,
Where angels smile upon the pledge,
When we are met in heaven!