the last of the gascoignes.
157
Yet beneath those lovely tropic skies
I sadly sighed for my former home,
And oft I longed the time would come
When I once more might cross the main,
And to my lonely mother return again.
But time sped on, three years flew by
Ere my native land I once more descried.
Soon to my joy our longed-for port was gained,
And not a star in our course had waned;
And almost I cheered as I stood once more
Upon my own dearly loved and native shore.
I waited a week, to me of endless days,
Then proceeded happy on my homeward way.
Mile after mile I journeyed so swiftly on,
Until the haven of all my hopes was won.
How green and fair were the waving trees,
After sailing so long on the wild and lonely seas!
Oh! how I longed 'midst their shade
To traverse each fairy and sylvan glade.
Onward I sped upon my lonely way,
When at the close of a lovely summer's day,
I stood a wanderer, and as I thought alone,
Before the threshold of my early home.
Alas! all the bright illusions of my dream,
So changed, had passed across the scene;
Unhinged and broken I found the little gate,
I sadly sighed for my former home,
And oft I longed the time would come
When I once more might cross the main,
And to my lonely mother return again.
But time sped on, three years flew by
Ere my native land I once more descried.
Soon to my joy our longed-for port was gained,
And not a star in our course had waned;
And almost I cheered as I stood once more
Upon my own dearly loved and native shore.
I waited a week, to me of endless days,
Then proceeded happy on my homeward way.
Mile after mile I journeyed so swiftly on,
Until the haven of all my hopes was won.
How green and fair were the waving trees,
After sailing so long on the wild and lonely seas!
Oh! how I longed 'midst their shade
To traverse each fairy and sylvan glade.
Onward I sped upon my lonely way,
When at the close of a lovely summer's day,
I stood a wanderer, and as I thought alone,
Before the threshold of my early home.
Alas! all the bright illusions of my dream,
So changed, had passed across the scene;
Unhinged and broken I found the little gate,
