The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-04-16
[For the Spirit of Democrscy.]
APARTING TRIBUTE.
BY A. sTEED.


3'a@ BY A. sTEED.
Written in contemplation Of going West.
Adieu my friends! a last adieu!
We part, perhaps to meet no more;
Ye hearts in friendship warm and true,
Our social intercourse is Ger.
Our meeting, and our parting here,
Must shortly have final end,
A;heartfelt sigh, perhaps tear,
ri vent in memory Of my friends.
Swift have the moments passed away,
Since first we met in converse sweet,
And all seems like summers day,
A day with tranquil joys replete.,
And now this pleasant day must close
Its golden sun will shortly set,
Forever, must part with those
Whom Oft with pleasure ! have met.
Had fortune one proptious smile,
One flattering beckon to impart,
I'd still remain with you whlle,.
Where social fervor cheers my heart.
But all the smile that's given here,
Is by the fairest 'mong the hills;
And all the beckon, is tear,
That on her cheek is lingering still.
There's nothing here in fortunes store,
That would induce a longer stay,
Than friendships cards, ! have no more
To draw me back, or make delay.
These sunny hillsides steep III leave'
And all their charms, that like spell
OF tabled bliss, so often gives
A balm to life, I'll bid farewell.
III hasten to the western wild,
And penetrate the forest gloom,
Or track the plains, where nature smiles,
And beded mats Of flowers bloom.
Nv lone companions there shall be
The willy red man of the woods
Old mother earth shall cradle me,
And natures hand supply my food.
The sky shall be my tent-clolhs there,
The twinkling stars my midnight lamp;
The gentle moon shall take the care
OF nightly vigil Ger my camp.
Some rock shall bear this weary head,
Which has reclined on bosoms soft;
NV humble couch with flowers III spread,
Fair as the cheek I've kissed so oft.
In balmy slumbers on the ground,
The breeze shall cool my aching head;
While sable curtains fall around,
And silv'ry dew.drops deck my bed.
There, for my early waking knell,
j, TIL need no din Of bells alarm,
The panther's scream, and savage yell,
) Will free me from old Somnus' arms.
III wake in turn, while beasts of prey
Retire within theiI dens to sleep;
And stand on guard through all the day,
For they, this charge. at night will keep.
III set me on some moss-bound rock.
And listen to the cascader's song,
Close on some rivers margin walk,
Where gushing fountains flow along.
IN seek some wild romantic dell, sss-.ssss
Where waters fall, and streamlets flow,
Where sylvan strains of music swell,
Il And willows kiss the rills below.
The wild-bird's song, this lonely heart
Shall rouse from reveries of gloom;
There, with my cares I'll strive to part,
&. And all my sorrows, there entomb.
IN court the embrace Of blushing flowers,
And kiss their honed dew-cups fair,
And in the mornings roseate hours,
I'll quaff the purer mountain arr
The woodland muse shall charm my sense,
And fill me with poetic fire,
Shall whisper in her soft cadence,
And tune my lays TO natures choir.
In all my walks, through wood or plain,
In wakeiul hours, or dreamy sleep,
Cherished in thought shall one remain,
Whose image in my heart III keep.
In foreign climates, far away,
In some secluded, chosen spot,
Loves silent tribute there III pay,
To one, who ne'er shall be forgot.
Now for while, I'll say farewell!
! am 10th with thee to part,
Nor can |, with assurance tell,
! When III seturn to cheer thy heart