’Twas a sad farewell, that parting, for it severed man and wife—
Doomed her to toil unaided; him to servitude for life:
But time soothes[238] the deepest sorrow, and love will hope and pray,
And soon like a dream grew the terrors of that sad and awful day.
* * * * *
’Tis night on the Mississippi, and a steamer, staunch and new,
Has stopped at a village landing her fuel to renew;
A man, the only passenger, steps[239] hurriedly on board,
And mates and crew stand ready, waiting the captain’s word:
“Haul in the gang-plank, lively! cast off your hawser, quick!”