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OH! SOON RETURN! by THOMAS MOORE

First Line: OUR WHITE SAIL CAUGHT THE EVENING RAY
Last Line: "OH! SOON RETURN!"

OUR white sail caught the evening ray,
The wave beneath us seem'd to burn,
When all my weeping love could say,
Was -- "Oh! soon return!"
Through many a clime our ship was driven,
O'er many a billow rudely thrown;
Now chill'd beneath a northern heaven,
Now sunn'd by summer's zone.
Yet still, where'er our course we lay,
When evening bid the west wave burn,
I thought I heard her faintly say --
"Oh! soon return!"

If ever yet my bosom found
Its thoughts a moment turn'd from thee,
'Twas when the combat raged around,
And brave men look'd to me.
But, though 'mid battle's wild alarm
Love's gentle power might not appear,
He gave to Glory's brow the charm
That made e'en danger dear.
And when the Victory's calm came o'er
The hearts where rage had ceased to burn,
I heard that farewell voice once more --
"Oh! soon return!"



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