The Poetry of Robert Burns Edited by William Ernest Henley and Thomas F. Henderson |
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THE FAREWELL |
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| III. |
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 | The Poetry of Robert Burns |  |
215
THE FAREWELL
The valiant, in himself, what can he suffer?
Or what does he regard his single woes?
But when, alas! he multiplies himself,
To dearer selves, to the lov'd tender fair,
To those whose bliss, whose beings hang upon him,
To helpless children,—then, Oh then he feels
The point of misery festering in his heart,
And weakly weeps his fortunes like a coward:
Such, such am I!—undone!
THOMSON'S Edward and Eleanora
Or what does he regard his single woes?
But when, alas! he multiplies himself,
To dearer selves, to the lov'd tender fair,
To those whose bliss, whose beings hang upon him,
To helpless children,—then, Oh then he feels
The point of misery festering in his heart,
And weakly weeps his fortunes like a coward:
Such, such am I!—undone!
THOMSON'S Edward and Eleanora
I
Farewell, old Scotia's bleak domains,Far dearer than the torrid plains,
Where rich ananas blow!
Farewell, a mother's blessing dear
A brother's sigh, a sister's tear,
My Jean's heart-rending throe!
Farewell, my Bess! Tho' thou 'rt bereft
Of my paternal care,
A faithful brother I have left,
My part in him thou'lt share!
Adieu too, to you too,
My Smith, my bosom frien';
When kindly you mind me,
O, then befriend my Jean!
216
II
What bursting anguish tears my heart?From thee, my Jeany, must I part?
Thou, weeping, answ'rest: ‘No!’
Alas! misfortune stares my face,
And points to ruin and disgrace—
I for thy sake must go!
Thee, Hamilton, and Aiken dear,
A grateful, warm adieu:
I with a much-indebted tear
Shall still remember you!
All-hail, then, the gale then
Wafts me from thee, dear shore!
It rustles, and whistles—
I'll never see thee more!
| The Poetry of Robert Burns | |