POETRY.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1129, 24 December 1883, Page 2

POETRY.

■ V OUR TRIP PROM HOME.

‘‘Good-bye” is heard on «*very side, “ good-bye” from all around, “A pleasant sail and speedy one,” is the familiar sound ; But little do they know our thoughts, our bitter pangs and sighs, Nor seldom hear the husky voice, or see (he brimful eyes. Ah! they know not these sound’s that waft from loving lips to ears, Nor have they felt the strangeness of long, long unbidden tears, But inn’cenlly and fervently and fondly they repeat These charming words, in laving tones, which now are doubly sweet. We stand upon the deck and gaze on myriads sailing by. Then hoar the heavy anchor weighed, and final words “good-bye ;” The ship has left her, berth and now, aa borne upon (he breeze, She steers her course, for far-off climes, through seething, angry seas. But England fair is still in view—we aro not far away . ; From all that’s near and all that’s dear, from home and native clay, From fatherland and motherland and home of chivalry, That precious spot in all the earth—the land of liberty.

Now lost in mist, and now a glimpse when air is clear and bright, Till gradually the darkness creeps o’er the prevailing light ; Which severs ns from sight of shore, and from the land of birth, From kindly words, and loving smiles, and ever-blessed earth. And as the shades of evening steal, while roaming o’er the main, And Hope is at the mercy of the wind and wares again ; A tear is shed for friends now left, a prayer is sent above, For Him to watch and guard them, and guard us by His love. ~ _ The dawn of morn is ushered in, clear and azure sky, And our good ship rides merrilyy and sHre as eagle’s cj'e • ' ' Yes !we are on (he ocean wide, w ; th broad expanse in view, - And pleasing smiles, and happy wiles, and glad and gallant crew. Bat here at sea, as w-ll ns land, (hero is the word “ Despair,” And faces grim are pallid, (bin, while sighs float through the air ; But health’s regained, and strength renewed, and all such troubles cease, And steadily we move along, in harmony and peace. ’Mid fjentle zephyrs from the west, and balm}', freshn’ing breeze, With raging gal cs, and shatter’d sails, for

weeks we’ve ploughed the seas, Now sight of land at intervals, and now a stranger’s sail, Or beacon bright ; off rock-bound coast, t 0 wain the ship so frail. Three months have slowly come and gone, but still no signs of land, Of future trials, fortune, home, of our beloved land. The time hangs tedious on the wing, and many are the sighs, Of ever dreaming, hopeful minds, and ever watchful eyes.

Till suddenly one morn so bright we hear the welcome cry, “The precious gem in the silver sea, peeps beneath the sky.” Oh! blithesome are the magic across the pathless deep, ” While we stand upon the deck and wonder, think, laugh, and weep. Our voyage is o’er:—the idleness, the pain and pleasure cease, But other hearts will have to brave the wild and spangled seas, And hear the ocean murmur, as the vessel glides along, “To patient faith the ptize is sure, must always be your song.” New Chum. Patea, Dec. 24.