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Home  »  The Poems and Songs  »  128 . The Farewell

Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

128 . The Farewell

FAREWELL, old Scotia’s bleak domains,

Far dearer than the torrid plains,

Where rich ananas blow!

Farewell, a mother’s blessing dear!

A borther’s sigh! a sister’s tear!

My Jean’s heart-rending throe!

Farewell, my Bess! tho’ thou’rt bereft

Of my paternal care.

A faithful brother I have left,

My part in him thou’lt share!

Adieu, too, to you too,

My Smith, my bosom frien’;

When kindly you mind me,

O then befriend my Jean!

What bursting anguish tears my heart;

From thee, my Jeany, must I part!

Thou, weeping, answ’rest—“No!”

Alas! misfortune stares my face,

And points to ruin and disgrace,

I for thy sake must go!

Thee, Hamilton, and Aiken dear,

A grateful, warm adieu:

I, with a much-indebted tear,

Shall still remember you!

All hail then, the gale then,

Wafts me from thee, dear shore!

It rustles, and whistles

I’ll never see thee more!