Poems (Charlotte Allen)/The Author's adieu to Plymouth

by Charlotte Allen

THE AUTHOR'S ADIEU TO PLYMOUTH,

Farewell to Plymouth's sea-girt shore,
 Home of the Pilgrim band;
No more I'll hear the wild waves roar,
 Around my "Father-land."

I go, but with a sad farewell,
 I gaze around me here,
While painful thoughts my bosom swell,
 As the parting hour draws near.

Far, far away to distant scenes,
 Reluctant do I go;
While retrospection's hallowed beams,
 A brighter radiance throw.

It is not 'neath the sunniest skies,
 That warmest hearts abound;
Where coldest winds breathe forth their sighs,
 Friendship 's oft purest found.

And here, upon this rocky shore,
 Full many a heart I've met,
With kindest feelings teeming o'er,
 That I shall ne'er forget.

Then, fare thee well thou ancient place,
 Land where our fathers trod;
Blessed, thrice blessed be the pilgrim race,
 Round the altars of their God.