The poem
Long ago I wished to leave " The house where I was born; " Long ago I used to grieve, My home seemed so forlorn. In other years, its silent rooms Were filled with haunting fears; Now, their very memory comes O'ercharged with tender tears.
Life and marriage I have known, Things once deemed so bright; Now, how utterly is flown Every ray of light ! 'Mid the unknown sea of life I no blest isle have found; At last, through all its wild wave's strife, My bark is homeward bound.
Farewell, dark and rolling deep ! Farewell, foreign shore ! Open, in unclouded sweep, Thou glorious realm before ! Yet, though I had safely pass'd That weary, vexed main, One loved voice, through surge and blast, Could call me back again.
Though the soul's bright morning rose O'er Paradise for me, William ! even from Heaven's repose I'd turn, invoked by thee ! Storm nor surge should e'er arrest My soul, exulting then: All my heaven was once thy breast, Would it were mine again !