Page:Diary of ten years.djvu/36

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Can this, I said, can this be home—
  That home I've longed so much to see?
In such brief space do changes come,
  Or is the change alone in me?

^[1]Deep darkness o'er my spirit came,
  My troubled soul was wrapp'd in shade,
Till one dear sound thrill'd through my frame
  When music lent her soothing aid.

For there was one who struck a chord
  And waked a well-remembered sound,
Which like a spell broke sorrows ward,
  And then, and then my home was found.

20th.—We have been watching the land (which is about thirty miles distant) since dinner time, and are now running parallel with it; we hope to anchor to-morrow.

I have been searching for my tents and iron bedsteads, and getting my packages into order.

This voyage, which once appeared interminable, now draws to a close; and though fifteen weeks have elapsed since I left Dublin, the time has passed more rapidly and agreeably than I could have believed to be possible. I do not recollect to have been so fat at any other period of my life, and am in perfect health. Even my cheeks have plumped out, and I have no longer the sallow visage of the student, but the ruddy hue of the farmer. A freedom from anxiety of mind, and professional occupation, may probably be the cause of my being so fat; however, an active life of rural industry will soon rid me of superabundant flesh.

29th.—There has been almost a dead calm since yesterday, until within this last two hours. We are now advancing towards the coast, which has an undulating and very pleasing

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1. This reference is to my sister Catherine playing a piece of music which we had often practised together, she on the piano, I on the flute.