Classic Poem

" 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 plough the raging main:
Alas! no Mary's gentle hand
Shall soothe 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:
O, 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?

" O 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 cursed 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 ploughed foaming to the main.