SOFTLY did the curling billow
Wanton o’er the pebbly bay,
While the sun’s last beam departing
Mark’d the hour of sinking day:
O’er the distant waters stealing,
Misty vapours float around;
While each tiny streamer waving
Beats the air with flutt’ring sound.
Lab’ring through the tranquil ocean,
Hen’ry’s little boat moves slow:
Sad and silent is his bosom;
Sad and silently they go.
Still beneath the straw roof slanting
Mary’s peaceful home he sees,
While fond Fancy gives the lover
Mary’s song in ev’ry breeze:
Many a happy hour recalling,
Many a tear in secret shed,
Many a glance of fond affection,
Many a pang of jealous dread.
Now the twinkling stars discover
Distant objects, still held dear,
While the melancholy lover
Marks them with a silent tear.
Thro’ the gloomy thicket darting,
Oft a glimm’ring light appears;
While some well-known ditty whistling,
Memory mingles smiles with tears.
Now the doubtful gleam of morning
Paly light diffuses ’round;
While the night-breeze, far retiring,
Bears the day-gun ‘s length’ning sound.
See ! the fresh’ning breezes bear him
Swiftly through the dashing spray,
While his native shores receding
Claim a smother’d farewel sigh !
(Mary Elizabeth Robinson)
More Poetry from Mary Elizabeth Robinson:
Mary Elizabeth Robinson Poems based on Topics: Love, Sadness, Morning, Happiness, Memory, Secrets, Envy & Jealousy, Affection- The Foster-Child (Mary Elizabeth Robinson Poems)
- The Lady Of Black Tower (Mary Elizabeth Robinson Poems)
- The Old Shepherd And The Squire (Mary Elizabeth Robinson Poems)
- The Sorrows Of Memory (Mary Elizabeth Robinson Poems)
- To Georgiana, (Mary Elizabeth Robinson Poems)
- Harvest-Home (Mary Elizabeth Robinson Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Love Poems, Sadness Poems, Happiness Poems, Morning Poems, Memory Poems, Secrets Poems, Envy & Jealousy Poems, Affection PoemsBased on Keywords: diffuses, streamer, paly, night-breeze