Poems (Rice)/On the Departure of the Cusa

by Maria Theresa Rice

ON THE DEPARTURE OF THE CUBA.

TAKE them, fair ship, these friends of mine,
 Into thine arms and safely keep;
With sad reluctance we resign,
 Aye, with feelings true and deep;
With prayers unuttered in the heart
We'll render up as ye depart.

Hope, Faith, and Love, these three combine,
 Inwrought in glowing pictures strong;
How bold the tints, how rich and fine,
 As mystic scenes around us throng.
A light from heaven on such will flow,
Radiance shed as on ye go.

Take them, father, mother, son, and bride;
 Quell every fear which may arise;
Know ye how much we now confide,
 How much in love without disguise?
May every change a charm impart,
New health, new vigor, to each heart.

Take them, and may the winds and waves
 Be ever lulled to peace and rest;
The ocean calm, as on ye glide
 With these, our treasures, on its breast:
We crave the boon of strength, of power,
Half to express this parting hour.

Another charge, O, good ship,—I
 Would pardon ask for this delay—
Her boy to bless, embrace; good-by,
 Fair Emma; on thy deck, to-day,
A gem more prized ye cannot hold;
Our hearts must keep the rest untold.

That Neptune and the Naiads keep
 A never-slumbering watch, I ask;
That loved ones, while with thee, may reap
 The pleasures, we in sunshine bask;
May Heaven protect, all ills dispel;
Time speeds, and now a last farewell.