LEAVING HOME.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 51, 24 May 1884, Page 5

LEAVING HOME.

How softly over land and sea Night drew hor dusky shadows down, While heaven's lamps most gloriously Came out to gem her azure crown, As on the vessel's deck I stood, Gazing upon the lighted shore. i While memory's eye so sadly viewed The happy sunlit days of yore. The mighty mountain, rising high, Cloth'd in the snowy clouds of eve, Sccm'd doubly beauteous to the eye, Therefore more hard behind to leave. 1 More lo\ ely sccm'd the ranges o'er Whose heights I'd seen the wild clouds driven. Full oft by winter fierce and hoar, Or outlin'd clear 'gainst summer heaven. 'Twas not my native land, but still It was my home for many years ; And as T gaz'd on vale and hill My eyes were flll'd with blinding tears. I thought of my lov'd mother's home— That home unto my heart so dear, From which I was compelled to roam That day by Fortune's hand severe. Of mothor and of sisters, whom I left that day in heart-shed tears, I thought, and evermore wo-ild come Their loving words unto my ears. And thinking of their loneliness And tears upon that peaceful night, avc weight unto my soul's distress And dimmed with tears my longing sight. And when the vessel's prow was turn'd From home, I on the deck did stand, While all my soul with sndness burn'd, Gazing on the receding land ; But, even then, the glorious star Of hope arose upon my night, When my returning day, not far Away, I saw by its pure light. Charles Johnson. Auckland, April 27th, 188 J.