Poems Consisting Of Essays, Lyric, Elegiac, &c. By Thomas Dermody. Written between the 13th and 16th Year of his Age |
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THE FAREWEL, OR VOYAGE OF LIFE. |
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96
THE FAREWEL, OR VOYAGE OF LIFE.
------ Rus, quando te aspiciam!
Dear, rural scenes of tranquil joy,
That pleas'd my soul, while yet a boy!
Sportive, the vernal plain I rov'd,
Dear, rural scenes! admir'd, belov'd,
Your safer harbour, now, I leave,
To tempt this world's tumultuous wave.
My little skiff, I urge from shore,
With feeble hand, and slender oar,
We part, perchance, to meet no more!
Farewel, my Baynham's cordial glow,
His placid temper's easy flow!
Farewel, the School, by churchyard-way,
Where noisy Learning spent the day,
Where Humour quibbled, Wit reply'd,
And Judgment sat in sapient pride!
Farewel, the stool by Hugo's hearth,
Where rose-lip'd Frolic, join'd with Mirth,
The evening pipe, the brimming bowl,
The open hand, the liberal soul,
The mind, tho' simple, full of lore,
The honest Landlord's frugal score,
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The weaver, deep in mystic rhime,
The tale of witchcraft, wont to fright
The artless audience of the night,
Who drew, thro' terror, insecure,
Their seats, by inches, from the door,
Lest the swart fiend should pinch behind,
Or, Obr'on enter on the wind!
Farewel, the dear, the classic hour,
When rapture came, cælestial pow'r!
When Transport flung her balmy dews,
When History woo'd the serious Muse,
When Politics informed each brain,
When Piety, was op'ned plain,
When Love would toast the Village-lass,
And Feeling sweeten every glass,
Dear Times!—dear Friends!—my barque's from shore,
I shun the rock, I ply the oar,
And Fate may bring me back, once more!
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