Departure

God bless ye! God bless ye! God bless ye! I say;
The horses are harnessed, and I must away!
Old friends! Early home!
All blessings be yours!
Let angels look smilingly down from heav'n's shores,
Let the grace of the Deity hitherward come,
And fling all its light o'er futurity's day.

Farewell, holy Love! Sweet Affection, farewell!
Here let sports full of joy, gay-toned harmony dwell,
And freedom and peace.
Can I linger? O no!
The steeds are prepar'd—I must go—I must go;
For the duties of life will allow no release,
And its pleasures are buried in memory's cell.