Page:Poems for the Sea.djvu/116

112 As when with streaming eyes she stood Her last farewell to speak, When from her pleasant cottage door I made such haste to flee, And in my wilful haste forsook Her kindness for the sea.

That Book divine, which bids us shun The dread, undying flame, Doth strictly for our parent-guides, A filial reverence claim; But mother, mother, kind and dear, How have I honored thee? With many a pang thy love was paid, Before I went to sea.

God give me grace to see thy face, And soothe thy sorrowing care, And freely with thy feeble age My hard-earned pittance share, And hear thee speak in loving tones The words so sweet to me, Thy blessing on the lost and found, The son who went to sea.