And yet, 'twas time;-in youth's sweet days, To cool that season's glowing rays, The heart a while, with wanton wing, May dip and dive in Pleasure's spring; Even now delusive hope will steal I often think, if friends were near, The slumber of the silent tides. Now, could I range those verdant isles, And see the looks, the beaming smiles, That brighten many an orange bower; And could I lift each pious veil, And see the blushing cheek it shades,Oh! I should have full many a tale, To tell of young Azorian maids. Those madrigals, of breath divine, Which Camoens' harp from Rapture stole, And gave, all glowing warm, to thine. Oh! could the lover learn from thee, And breathe them with thy graceful tone, Such sweet, beguiling minstrelsy Would make the coldest nymph his own. But, hark!-the boatswain's pipings tell 'Tis time to bid my dream farewell : Eight bells:-the middle watch is set; Good night, my Strangford!-ne'er forget That, far beyond the western sea Is one whose heart remembers thee. |