As slow our ship her foamy track <br />Against the wind was cleaving, <br />Her trembling pennant still look'd back <br />To that dear isle 'twas leaving. <br />So loath we part from all we love, <br />From all the links that bind us; <br />So turn our hearts as on we rove, <br />To those we've left behind us. <br /> <br />When, round the bowl, of vanish'd years <br />We talk, with joyous seeming, -- <br />With smiles that might as well be tears, <br />So faint, so sad their beaming; <br />While memory brings us back again <br />Each early tie that twined us, <br />Oh, sweet's the cup that circles then <br />To those we've left behind us. <br /> <br />And when, in other climes, we meet <br />Some isle, or vale enhanting, <br />Where all looks flowery, wild, and sweet, <br />And nought but love is wanting; <br />We think how great had been our bliss, <br />If Heaven had but assign'd us <br />To live and die in scenes like this, <br />With some we've left behind us! <br /> <br />As travellers oft look back at eve, <br />When eastward darkly going, <br />To gaze upon that light they leave <br />Still faint behind them glowing -- <br />So, when the close of pleasure's day <br />To gloom hath near consign'd us, <br />We turn to catch one fading ray <br />Of joy that's left beind us.<br /><br />Thomas Moore<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/as-slow-our-ship/
