WE stand together on the deck, <br />Around us twilight falleth fast, <br />And the soft rain of autumn bears <br />Its welcome on the fitful blast. <br />That tender greyness of the north, <br />The late October day hath donn'd; <br />Save, over England, one pale streak <br />Of amber tells of skies beyond. <br /> <br />Glorious lands we leave behind us! <br />(Bleeding life from every pore), <br />Those great native hopes which bind us <br />Shall but make us love you more; <br />But we feel your noble memories, <br />All whose teachings we revere, <br />Your grand skies and grander artists, <br />Pale to life which waits us here. <br /> <br />Ev'n as that faint streak of amber <br />Speaks of a clear heavenly air, <br />England, prophesying nobly, <br />Bids the nations not despair; <br />The great thoughts she rears within her <br />Waft a message o'er the sea, <br />And we say, in swift approaching, <br />'All our heart is wrapt in thee.'<br /><br />Bessie Rayner Parkes<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/home-to-england/
