"WE part, perhaps to meet no more -- To distant lands from thee I go; Far, far beyond the ocean's roar, For thee my tears will ever flow: An exile from my native land, I long must plow the raging main: Alas! no Mary's gentle hand Shall sooth my bosom's inward pain. Thou weep'st, my love: -- how dear those tears, What treasures to thy William's heart: They banish all his anxious fears -- They blunt the point of sorrow's dart -- They tell me Mary loves me still, And grieves to bid her last adieu: Oh, guard her, Heaven, from every ill, And keep her to her William true." "And wilt thou, William! think no more. When far beyond the raging main, How Mary lingers on this shore And strains to catch thy sail in vain? Oh, William! let thy wishes rise And send them o'er the wave to me: The Power, that rules in yonder skies, Will hear the vows of constancy." Yes! I will think when far away, How thou art weeping on this shore; Dark be the hour, and curst the day, When I shall muse on thee no more. But hark! the signal! we must part: -- While life remains let us be true; Yes! though I feel a bursting heart, I now must bid my last adieu." Her drooping head his Mary laid Upon the youth she loved so well: He gently kissed the sinking maid And breathed upon her lips farewell; Then tore him from her fond embrace And dashed the tear-drops from his eye -- Just gazed upon her angel-face; Then turned and marked the streamers fly. He shouted, as he leaped on board, To hide his bosom's inward pain; The sails were set -- the loud winds roared -- The ship plowed foaming to the main. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE PROGRESS OF POESY; A PINDARIC ODE by THOMAS GRAY WHEN THE SULTAN GOES TO ISPAHAN by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH LILIES: 21. ART NEEDS THEE by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) WINTER WIZARDRY by LAURA S. BECK THE DAY AFTER THE WAR by JAMES MADISON BELL THE LOVER'S VIGIL by WILLIAM ROSE BENET THE YOUNG BROTHER by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |