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Poems

By W. C. Bennett: New ed
  

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THE HOMEWARD WATCH.

The sailor the deck is pacing,
And he hums a rough old song,
Bearing north from its southern whaling,
As the good ship drives along;

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And his thoughts with hope are swelling,
For his watch it well may cheer,
To know that at last he speeds to her
He has left for many a year.
And she, in the darken'd chamber
Where day is turn'd to night,
By the candle dimly lighted,
She lies in her shroud of white;
Closed eye, and cold, cold cheek;
The slumber of death sleeps she,
Of meeting with whom he's dreaming
In his homeward watch at sea.