See the lone emigrant just come on shore,
Far from relations which he'll see no more,
Far from his native country where he spent
The playful moments youthful pleasure lent;
Thrown here unfriended, fortune to appease,
Or endless vain cur'osity to please:
His father, mother, brother, sister dear,
Dropt at his parting many a tender tear,
And sobb'd and wish'd th'adventurer to stay,
Nor brave the dangers of the raging sea.
But all their kind monitions were in vain,
For fate decreed the youth to cross the main.
Some rustic relics of paternal care,
His mindful mother ready does prepare;
The woolly garments, shirts & stockings strong,
The crock of butter and the old neat's tongue,
The new laid eggs and cheese ne'er cut before,
With bread and spirits to complete his store.
Then to the beach his com'rades true conveys,
This for his wealth, and that his safety prays,
Each in his turn sincerely shakes his hand,
And wish him safely to his destin'd land.
Scarce had the prow its canvass pinions spread
When dizzy sickness seiz'd his giddy head,
Dim grows the land, the surging billows roar,
'Twas then alas! he wish'd himself on shore;
Sadly he gaz'd and took his last adieu,
Its charms but rising as it sunk to view.
Unhappy Europe! thus thy children stray
To shun thy tyrants of remorseless sway,
Down from the knavish minister of state
To kindred lackeys that around him wait,
All, all combine to hurt the needy poor,
" To spurn imploring famine from the door. "