He is changed, ah me! ah me!
Have we then a different aim?
Shall earth's glory or its gold
Make his heart to mine grow cold?
Or can new love kill the old?
Leaving me for love and fame
Oh, my brother fair to see!
Idol of my lonely heart,
Parting is a time of test,
Father, give him what is best,
Father keep him from the rest,
Bless him though we fall apart.
Well I know love will not die,
It will cause us bliss or pain;
We may part for many years,
But my loving prayers and tears,
Rising up to Him who hears,
Will yet draw him back again.
From the fount of tenderness,
All the past comes brimming up;
When his brow is touched with care,
When no grief of his I share,
When we're separated far,
It will be a bitter cup;
Bless him from before Thy throne,
Thus my heart to Thee makes moan,
Keep him Lord where he is gone
TO ANNE ON HER BIRTHDAY
Let mirth and joy a season reign
And sorrow flee away
Sadness were perfect sin it is
My Anne's natal day
And now a birthday rhyme for her
This sister of my own
Accept the song then for my sake
Sister and only one
So long we've lived together here
Our hopes and fears the same
Like two of autumn's last grown leaves
Last of our race and name
The past we know its grief and joy
Its pleasure and its pain
But know not what may happen ere
Your birthday comes again
Shall we be cradled in the deep
Beneath the briny wave?
Or shall the white deer lightly bound
Over my forest grave?