Page:The Indian Orphan.pdf/9

64 risen, made the coast visible again. It must be agony to the heart to say a long, and it may prove an eternal farewell, to all connected with us by every link of early association and affection of many years' standing; to the mother whose smile was the light of our childhood; to the father whose heart goes with us; to all who have shared in our joys and our griefs; this, indeed, must be an overflowing of the cup of affliction; but even this painful accumulation of feeling was preferable to mine of single and complete isolation. It is soothing to reflect, that we are dear to those we leave behind; that there are some who will treasure our memory in the long hours of absence, and look forward to our meeting again; for never does the moment of reunion rise so forcibly on the mind as at that of separation. These thoughts are like rain drops in the season of drought, but I looked on the land of my birth, and knew there was not one to call a blessing on her far away; not one to wish the wanderer's return; the cold earth lay heavily on the hearts that would have throbbed at my departing; the eyes that would have wept were sealed by death, in the home of darkness and forgetfulness, where joy and sorrow are alike. The voyage appeared short, for I had no thing to anticipate, and the glories of the ocean suited my feelings, I have looked on the face of nature with love and with wonder; but never have I had that intense communion with her beauties which I have had at sea. At last the white cliffs of England came in sight: they were hailed with a shout of delight; it had no echo in my heart.