Poems (Louisa Blake)/To a Brother at Parting
TO A BROTHER, AT PARTING.
My brother! must you leave us then?
Must you then seek some distant shore?
Then one last kiss, for oh, I fear
That we now part, to meet no more!
Must you then seek some distant shore?
Then one last kiss, for oh, I fear
That we now part, to meet no more!
But, oh, 'tis hard, 'tis very hard,
When we are parting with the few
Whom we have loved,—so dearly loved,
To speak that little word adieu.
When we are parting with the few
Whom we have loved,—so dearly loved,
To speak that little word adieu.
May prosperous gales then waft you safe,
To the far distant, destined shore!
And may the power in whom you trust,
Guard you, and guide you evermore.
To the far distant, destined shore!
And may the power in whom you trust,
Guard you, and guide you evermore.
And when o'er ocean thou art driven
When nought is round but sky and sea,
Then may your thoughts ascend to Heaven,
To meet the prayers that rise for thee.
When nought is round but sky and sea,
Then may your thoughts ascend to Heaven,
To meet the prayers that rise for thee.
And when at last an utter stranger,
Upon a foreign shore you stand,
May God, to shield you from all danger,
Extend his own almighty hand.
Upon a foreign shore you stand,
May God, to shield you from all danger,
Extend his own almighty hand.
And when the object is completed
For which you left your native shore,
May you return again to bless us;
Return again to go no more.
For which you left your native shore,
May you return again to bless us;
Return again to go no more.
Farewell! the vessel now is ready,
"The waves beneath her proudly swell;"
May guardian angels shield, protect thee—
My dear, dear brother, fare thee well!
"The waves beneath her proudly swell;"
May guardian angels shield, protect thee—
My dear, dear brother, fare thee well!