Sonnets written chiefly during a tour through Holland, Germany, Italy, Turkey, and Hungary. By Lady Emmeline Stuart Wortley |
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A FAREWELL TO MY COUNTRY.
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 | Sonnets |  |
170
A FAREWELL TO MY COUNTRY.
June, 1838.
Once more adieu,—mine own fair Land
Adieu—adieu to thee!—
Ere on these shores again I stand,
Full many a change may be!
Adieu—adieu to thee!—
Ere on these shores again I stand,
Full many a change may be!
For thee, for thee, full many a change,
And for myself, perchance,
Vicissitudes and shiftings strange
Of varying circumstance!
And for myself, perchance,
Vicissitudes and shiftings strange
Of varying circumstance!
For thee, may dispensations come
Of new conditions still,
Not stable even is Empire's doom,
It fluctuates to Heaven's will!
Of new conditions still,
Not stable even is Empire's doom,
It fluctuates to Heaven's will!
And mortal life, Oh! evermore,
Unstable that is found,
Time alters even our own heart's core,
To no fixed feelings bound!
Unstable that is found,
Time alters even our own heart's core,
To no fixed feelings bound!
171
Within for evermore go on
Mutation's mysteries strange,
The while without beneath the sun,
Life's deepest rule is—change!
Mutation's mysteries strange,
The while without beneath the sun,
Life's deepest rule is—change!
Once more, mine own fair Land, farewell,
Adieu, adieu to thee!—
Where'er I rove—where'er I dwell,
My soul thy subject be!
Adieu, adieu to thee!—
Where'er I rove—where'er I dwell,
My soul thy subject be!
Farewell to thee, Farewell to thee!—
Reluctant I depart;
And, Oh! till I recross thy Sea,
My hostage be my Heart!
Reluctant I depart;
And, Oh! till I recross thy Sea,
My hostage be my Heart!
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