To Don Juan Baz, Ex-Governor of Mexico

WELCOME, stranger! glad I greet thee,Welcome to our friendly shore;Kindred hearts exult to meet thee,Rest thyself in peace once more.

Think not I ignore the anguishWhich must rack thy soul with pain,As thou dream'st of those who languish,Far across the distant main.

No. I, too, am homeless, weary,Fainting in my worldly strife;And I know how very dreary'Tis to be alone in life.

'Tis in sympathy I greet thee;May my simple words impartSome ray of light, a ray to cheat theeOf sad thoughts that swell thy heart.

Sept. 20th, 1866.