The last sad drop upon his cheek
Falls mingling with the foam:
The sea-bird, screaming, welcomes him,
The ocean is his home!
FARE thee well! the ship is ready,
And the breeze is fresh and steady;
Hands are fast the anchor weighing,
High in air the streamer's playing.
Spread the sails: the waves are swelling
Proudly round thy buoyant dwelling.
Fare thee well! and when at sea,
Think of those who sigh for thee.
When from land and home receding,
And from hearts that ache to bleeding,
Think of those behind who love thee,
While the sun is bright above thee!
Then, as down to ocean glancing,
In the waves his rays are dancing,
Think how long the night will be
To the eyes that weep for thee.
When the lonely night-watch keeping,
All below thee still and sleeping,
As the needle points the quarter
O'er the wide and trackless water,
Let thy vigils ever find thee
Mindful of the friends behind thee!
Let thy bosom's magnet be
Turned to those who wake for thee!
When, with slow and gentle motion,
Heaves the bosom of the ocean,
While in peace thy bark is riding,
And the silver moon is gliding
O'er the sky with tranquil splendour,
Where the shining hosts attend her,
Let the brightest visions be,
Country, home, and friends, to thee!
When the tempest hovers o'er thee,
Danger, wreck, and death before thee,
While the sword of fire is gleaming,
Wild the winds, the torrent streaming,
Then, a pious suppliant bending,
Let thy thoughts, to heaven ascending,
Reach the mercy-seat, to be
Met by prayers that rise for thee!
YOUNG Allen, an enamoured boy,
Eager an independence to enjoy,
Would through all perils seek it,—by the sea,— Through labour, danger, pain, or slavery.
The faithful Judith his design approved,
For both were sanguine, they were young, and loved.
The mother's slow consent was then obtained;
The time arrived,-to part alone remained;
All things prepared, on the expected day
Was seen the vessel anchored in the bay.
From her would seamen in the evening come,
To take the adventurous Allen from his home.
With his own friends the final day he passed,
And every painful hour, except the last-
The grieving father urged the cheerful glass,
To make the moments with less sorrow pass;
Intent the mother looked upon her son,
And wished the assent withdrawn, the deed un
The younger sister, as he took his way,
Hung on his coat, and begged for more delay;
But his own Judith called him to the shore,
Whom he must meet,-for they might meet no
And there he found her-faithful, mournful, true— 'Weeping, and waiting for a last adieu !
The ebbing tide had left the sand, and there
Moved with slow steps the melancholy pair.
Sweet were the painful moments,-but, how sweet,
And without pain, when they again should meet!
Now either spoke, as hope and fear impressed
Each their alternate triumph in the breast.
"But hark! an oar!" she cried, yet none appeared;
'Twas love's mistake, who fancied what it feared;
And she continued: "Do, my Allen, keep
Thy heart from evil, let thy passions sleep;
Believe it good, nay glorious to prevail,
And stand in safety where so many fail.
And do not, Allen, or for shame or pride,
Thy faith abjure, or thy profession hide;
Can I believe his love will lasting prove
Who has no reverence for the God I love?
I know thee well! how good thou art and kind,
But strong the passions that invade thy mind;
Now, what to me hath Allen to commend?"
"Upon my mother," said the youth, "attend;
Forget her spleen, and in my plaee appear,
Her love to me will make my Judith dear."
Bnt, see! his friends come hastening to the beach, And now the gunwale is within the reach;
"Adieu! farewell! remember!" and what more
Affection taught, was uttered from the shore.
But Judith left them with a heavy heart,
Took a last view, and went to weep apart.
And now his friends went slowly from the place,
Where she stood still, the dashing oar to trace,
Till all were silent! for the youth she prayed,
And softly then returned the weeping maid.
THE sailor sighs as sinks his native shore,
As all its lessening turrets bluely fade;
He climbs the mast to feast his eyes once more,
And busy fancy fondly lends her aid.
Ah! now, each dear, domestic scene he knew,
Recalled and cherished in a foreign clime,
Charms with the magic of a moonlight view,
Its colours mellowed, not impaired, by time.
True as the needle, homeward points his heart,
Through all the horrors of the stormy main;
This the last wish that would with life depart,
To see the smile of her he loves again.
When morn first faintly draws her silver line,
Or eve's grey cloud descends to drink the wave;
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