Poems (Toke)/Lines (We have looked our last on the well-known walls)

by Emma Toke

For works with similar titles, see Lines.

LINES.

E have looked our last on the well-known walls,
 Which we may behold no more;
At least they will wear a far other hue
 Than for us they have worn before.
We have met with glee round the social board,
 Where we never may meet again,
Though dear must those hours to memory be,
 While life or while thought remain.

For blent with the fairest of youthful dreams
 That familiar spot has been;
And remembrances dear as life's young spring
 Have hallowed the lowly scene.
The quiet hamlet, the old grey church,
 E'en the forms that within it bow,
Are blent with the hopes of those early years,
 Fulfilled, and how brightly! now.

Jut ye, dear friends, so long loved and well,
 From these peaceful scenes must roam,
To seek, though the noon of life be past,
 Another and far-off home.
But with the truest of all farewells,
 And best, ye shall hence depart;
The heart-warm blessing, the tearful prayer,
 Of many a lowly heart.

And though now ye must leave at duty's call
 The home of long-wedded years,
Yet blessed be God that ye leave it not
 With widowed and orphan tears.
But ye go with a calm and trustful heart,
 To find in another sphere
The same circle of holy toil and love,
 The same fireside peace as here.

'Tis mournful to think of familiar scenes,
 Forsaken by those so dear;
Of the youthful voices, the laughter's sound,
 That shall echo no longer here.
Jut turn we with hope to the coming hours,
 On the past let us cease to dwell,
And bid ye God-speed to your future home,
 As to this we now sigh farewell.

E.

February 21, 1844,