THE MIDSHIPMAN’S FAREWELL.
Reading edition
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BY MRS. CORNELIA DA PONTE.
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When slumber seals those heavenly eyes,
And dreams of rapture round thee glow,
When angels watch, for angels love
To guard the pure from ills below,
Mine in that hour must keep the watch
Alone upon the midnight sea,
As winds and waves with hated speed
Bear me away from home and thee.
Yes, mine shall fix their silent gaze,
Nor shrink if danger hover near;
This hand that trembles now in thine,
Must grasp the sword without a fear;
And for the music of thy voice,
The stormy wave with shout of men,
For whispers soft, words stern and cold
Must be the sounds that hail me then.
The hour has come, fresh blows the gale,
Our ship moves down yon tide afar,
Away, away beyond that tide
Thy image follows as a star;
Farewell to thee, farewell to all,
My native land and skies above;
O who will greet the wanderer now
With soothing words or smiles of love?
Remember me, ’tis all I ask,
When others gaze, when others sigh,
When others plead with bending knee,
And drink the beauty of thine eye,
Remember then, for e’en in dreams,
Though bright they come, this heart shall weep,
My thirsting spirit vainly seek
Thy image on the lonely deep.