Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PENRHYN'S PILGRIMAGE: CANTO SECOND: 7. HOMEWARD BOUND, by ARTHUR PETERSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PENRHYN'S PILGRIMAGE: CANTO SECOND: 7. HOMEWARD BOUND, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Egypt, farewell! Thy desert's sand
Last Line: Through straining gales, or weather fair!
Subject(s): Farewell; Parting


1

Egypt, farewell! Thy desert's sand,
The emerald valley of thy Nile,
They Nile's self, gemmed with many an isle,
We leave. I lift a parting hand.

I stretch a hand across the wave
To thee; perchance no more we'll meet;
Perchance no more these wandering feet
Shall tread thy shore this side the grave.

Farewell! I seek my native land!
Emerging from the mystic East,
After long years, once more I'd feast
My homesick eyes on Schuylkill's strand!

Behind us fades Port Said away,
The Mediterranean blue we ride,
Europe upon our starboard side,
Upon our port hoar Africa.

2

Old ocean, once again I feel
Thy waters blue beneath me heave;
And with the fading shore I leave
The Past behind: its book I seal:

Its book I close and seal with tears,
Then toward the future turn my face;
A prayer within my soul for grace
Strongly to walk in coming years.

O Thou who, over sea and land,
Through many a danger, hast brought me,
I lift in thanks my voice to Thee,
I mark in all Thy guiding hand!

Fly westward, white-winged ship, and bear
Me safely o'er the billow's comb!
Sail onward, ship of life, toward home,
Through straining gales, or weather fair!





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