| |
| METHOUGHT the stars were blinking bright, | |
| And the old brig’s sails unfurl’d; | |
| I said, “I will sail to my love this night | |
| At the other side of the world.” | |
| I stepp’d aboard,—we sail’d so fast,— | 5 |
| The sun shot up from the bourn; | |
| But a dove that perch’d upon the mast | |
| Did mourn, and mourn, and mourn. | |
| O fair dove! O fond dove! | |
| And dove with the white breast, | 10 |
| Let me alone, the dream is my own, | |
| And my heart is full of rest. | |
| |
| My true love fares on this great hill, | |
| Feeding his sheep for aye; | |
| I look’d in his hut, but all was still, | 15 |
| My love was gone away. | |
| I went to gaze in the forest creek, | |
| And the dove mourn’d on apace; | |
| No flame did flash, nor fair blue reek | |
| Rose up to show me his place. | 20 |
| O last love! O first love! | |
| My love with the true heart, | |
| To think I have come to this your home, | |
| And yet—we are apart! | |
| |
| My love! He stood at my right hand, | 25 |
| His eyes were grave and sweet. | |
| Methought he said, “In this far land, | |
| O, is it thus we meet? | |
| Ah, maid most dear, I am not here; | |
| I have no place,—no part,— | 30 |
| No dwelling more by sea or shore, | |
| But only in thy heart.” | |
| O fair dove! O fond dove! | |
| Till night rose over the bourn, | |
| The dove on the mast, as we sail’d fast, | 35 |
| Did mourn, and mourn, and mourn. | |
| |
