Poems (Davidson)/To a Departing Friend

by Lucretia Maria Davidson

TO A DEPARTING FRIEND.

Farewell, and may some angel guide,
 Some viewless spirit hover o'er thee;
Who, let or weal or woe betide,
 Will still unchanging move before thee.

A hallowed light shall burn at night,
 When sorrow's wave rolls drearily,
And o'er thy way a cloud by day
 Shall cast its shadow cheerily.

Thy bark of pleasure o'er life's smooth sea
 Shall gallantly glide along;
Prayers and blessings thy breezes shall be,
 And hope be thy parting song.

Go then; I have given the spirits charge
 To watch o'er thee now and forever;
To smooth life's waters, and guide thy barge
 Where tempest shall toss it never.