[From Mona's Isle, 1844]

THE FIRST FAREWELL.

THIS summons now I must obey,
I ‘m at my country’s call,
No longer with thee can I stay,
My life, my love, my all!
Yet while I brave
The stormy wave
My thoughts shall be of thee,
May Heaven above
Protect thee, love,
While I am far at sea!

No friend on earth have I but thee,
Sweet partner of my care!
Thy smile is more than all to me— Thy frown I never share:
That tender heart
Can ne’er impart
A pang unto this breast— Thou art my joy,
Without alloy,
And solace when distress’d.

My calling is to face the foe,
And spread old Britain’s fame,
Then wilt thou not, love, let me go To raise my humble name?
For British laws
And Freedom’s cause
I ‘11 brave the stormy main,
And be as bold
As tars of old,
And England’s rights maintain.

While float the British hearts of oak,
That bear extensive sway,
I will not from the cause revoke,
But cheer’ly will obey,
And raise the flag
That stood the fag
Of mighty wars of yore,
When British tars,
Midst wounds and scars,
Did free old England’s shore.

Tho’ George’s tars are now grown old,
As Time will have his sway,
~n mighty deeds they oft have told The glory of their day;
And still are found
On England’s ground
Young tars as brave as they,
Who when call’d forth
Will shew their worth,
And tyrants’ power dismay,
Now comes the part that tries the heart,
Its test mine scarce can stand,
Which is, that I from thee must part,
And my sweet cherub-band ;—
How can I bear
That parting tear,
And that expressive sigh?
Love ! do not mourn—
I shall return— My life—my love—good bye!