REGRET
Long ago I wished to leave
"The house where I was born;"
Long ago I used to grieve,
My home seemed so forlorn.
In other years, its silent
rooms
Were filled with haunting
fears;
Now, their very memory comes
O'ercharged with tender
tears.
Life and marriage I have
known.
Things once deemed so bright;
Now, how utterly is flown
Every ray of light!
'Mid the unknown sea, of
life
I no blest isle have found;
At last, through all its
wild wave's strife,
My bark is homeward bound.
Farewell, dark and rolling
deep!
Farewell, foreign shore!
Open, in unclouded sweep,
Thou glorious realm before!
Yet, though I had safely
pass'd
That weary, vexed main,
One loved voice, through
surge and blast
Could call me back again.
Though the soul's bright
morning rose
O'er Paradise for me,
William! even from Heaven's
repose
I'd turn, invoked by thee!
Storm nor surge should e'er
arrest
My soul, exalting then:
All my heaven was once thy
breast,
Would it were mine again! |
