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Poems of Victor Hugo

by Victor Hugo

107 of 187 · Contents · Download EPUB

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!

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