As Slow Our Ship

 As slow our ship her foamy track 
Against the wind was cleaving, 
Her trembling pennant still look'd back 
To that dear isle 'twas leaving.
 
So loath we part from all we love, 
From all the links that bind us; 
So turn our hearts as on we rove, 
To those we've left behind us.
 

When, round the bowl, of vanish'd years 
We talk, with joyous seeming, -- 
With smiles that might as well be tears, 
So faint, so sad their beaming; 
While memory brings us back again 
Each early tie that twined us, 
Oh, sweet's the cup that circles then 
To those we've left behind us.
 

And when, in other climes, we meet 
Some isle, or vale enhanting, 
Where all looks flowery, wild, and sweet, 
And nought but love is wanting; 
We think how great had been our bliss, 
If Heaven had but assign'd us 
To live and die in scenes like this, 
With some we've left behind us! 

As travellers oft look back at eve, 
When eastward darkly going, 
To gaze upon that light they leave 
Still faint behind them glowing -- 
So, when the close of pleasure's day 
To gloom hath near consign'd us, 
We turn to catch one fading ray 
Of joy that's left beind us.

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