Soft sunny islands, far and lone,
Where the shy petrel builds her nest;
Deep coral caves to mermaids known—
These were my visions bright and blest.
Oh! how I yearned to meet the tide,
And hear the bristling surges sweep;
To stand the watery world beside,
And ponder o'er the glorious deep!
I bade my home adieu, and bent
My eager footsteps toward the shore,