Classic Poem

My foot's in the stirrup, my hand's on the rein,
My proud steed is tossing his longflowing mane;
Yet, stay for a moment! I'll wave ere we part
Another farewell to the girl of my heart.

How blest was the evening I knelt by her side,
And watched the Miami's deep willow-fringed tide,
And dreamed a fair dream that love would flow ever,
As smooth and as bright as the beautiful river.

“Oh, stay!” said the rose to the wind, as it sped;
Alas! in a moment the sighing wind fled.
“Oh, stay!” said the lily, “nor leave me alone,”
Alas! in a moment the bright wave was gone!

Thus, wave-like and wind-like, from those whom we love,
The bidding of fate oft compels us to rove,
But memory is laden with love-lighted hours,
As winds, and the waves, with the fragrance of flowers.

My foot's in the stirrup, my hand's on the rein,
My good steed is tossing his longflowing mane,
One wave of her white hand, one tear from her eye—
Press on, my fleet charger! Sweet lady—good-bye!