REGRET

    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 utterly¹ is flown Every ray of light！ 'Mid² the unknown sea, of life I no blest isle³ have found； At last, through all its wild wave's strife⁴, 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, vexed⁵ 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 repose⁶ I'd turn, invoked⁷ by thee！ Storm nor surge should e'er arrest My soul, exalting⁸ then： All my heaven was once thy breast, Would it were mine again！