Poems (Denver)/Away, away

by Mary Caroline Denver and Jane Campbell Denver

AWAY, AWAY.

Thou hast ventured at last on the sounding deep,
Thou hast wakened the waves from their azure sleep;
The tear has been shed, and the hand been wrung,
And thy canvas free to the wind is flung.
Dash onward, barque! thou hast left the shore,
Yet the rock and the tempest are on before.
Midst the foaming billows, the scattering spray,
Thou hast trust in thy pilot; away, away!

O bird of bright plumage and golden wing,
Thou hast come to the blossoming earth to sing?
She is fair, and her love seems all thine own;
Yet an eye hath marked thee to thee unknown:
The hunter hath gazed on thy shining crest,
He has seen the hue of thy glossy breast;
Oh I seek for safety in yon bright ray,
Thou hast trust in thy pinions; away, away!

Haste, Warrior! haste to the battle-field.
Where few may conquer, where none may yield;
Why dost thou linger within the vale?
The voices of foemen are on the gale.
The trumpet sounds, and the sabre gleams,
And the war-red banner above them streams;
Haste to the joy of the coming fray!
Thou hast trust in thy courage; away, away!

Maiden! go thou to the dancing-hall,
Thy heart's in the midst of the festival;
Thy dark eye flashes with rapture now,
Bright as the gems that enwreathe thy brow,
And thy young heart beats to the thrilling song,
And is borne on its pinions, along, along;
Seek then the dance and the merry lay,
Thou hast trust in thy beauty; away, away!

My soul! mid the splendors of earthly things,
Forget not the source whence each pleasure springs;
Guard well the ways of the wandering heart,
And when it chooses the better part,
On the wings of the morning thou shalt ascend
To bask in the smile of thy truest friend.
Why shouldst thou linger? why longer stay?
Thou hast trust in thy Saviour; away, away!