Poems by Victor Hugo - HTML preview

THE SEAMAN'S SONG.

("Adieu, patrie.")
     {Bk. V. ix., Aug. 1, 1852.}

Farewell the strand,
           The sails expand
                 Above!
           Farewell the land
                 We love!
     Farewell, old home where apples swing!
     Farewell, gay song-birds on the wing!

           Farewell, riff-raff
           Of Customs' clerks who laugh
                 And shout:
           "Farewell!" We'll quaff
                 One bout
     To thee, young lass, with kisses sweet!
     Farewell, my dear—the ship flies fleet!

     The fog shuts out the last fond peep,
     As 'neath the prow the cast drops weep.
     Farewell, old home, young lass, the bird!
     The whistling wind alone is heard:
                 Farewell! Farewell!