Poem A Day

128. The Farewell

by Robert Burns

FAREWELL, old Scotia’s bleak domains,

Far dearer than the torrid plains,

Where rich ananas blow!

Farewell, a mother’s blessing dear!

A borther’s sigh! a sister’s tear!

My Jean’s heart-rending throe!

Farewell, my Bess! tho’ thou’rt bereft

Of my paternal care.

A faithful brother I have left,

My part in him thou’lt share!

Adieu, too, to you too,

My Smith, my bosom frien’;

When kindly you mind me,

O then befriend my Jean!

What bursting anguish tears my heart;

From thee, my Jeany, must I part!

Thou, weeping, answ’rest—“No!”

Alas! misfortune stares my face,

And points to ruin and disgrace,

I for thy sake must go!

Thee, Hamilton, and Aiken dear,

A grateful, warm adieu:

I, with a much-indebted tear,

Shall still remember you!

All hail then, the gale then,

Wafts me from thee, dear shore!

It rustles, and whistles

I’ll never see thee more!

Text and source

Rights
Public domain
Source
View original source

Poem A Day

One poem today. Another tomorrow.

Save this poem to your personal anthology and build a reading streak with a new classic each day.