Poems (Douglas)/Home Longings
Home Longings.
Isle of Erin, I am longing Once again to tread thy shore;Yearnings to this breast are thronging To behold thy vales once more.Ever and anon like shadows, Do those wishes haunt my heart,Which would 'mid the sunlit meadows, Of my own old home depart.
Oh! again to tread thy mountains Where the breeze sweeps fresh and free,Graze upon thy sparkling fountains, Dashing on in mirth and glee.Have a ramble through the wild woods Where is seen no tiller's track;And perchance, a gush of childhood's Deep ecstatic raptures back.
Young dear friends from whom I parted, Tearfully in life's young morn;Are ye still the joyous-hearted In the Isle where ye were born?Ever in this fond heart's dreaming, Though since then long years have passed,I can see your young brows beaming Glad, as I beheld them last.
Ah! how many recollections Of each happy, long ago;Early friends, and young affections, To this bosom ever flow.Yes, fond memories come thronging, "Isle of beauty," fraught with thee,And my heart is ever longing There, to wake the wild harp's glee.
Where the golden sun is shining Brightly on each verdant scene,Flowers in iris myriads twining, O'er thy turf's luxuriant green. All might be around me throwing What old home scenes can impart,When they wear the glad and glowing Light of the return'd one's heart.