So they left that goodly and pleasant city, which had been their resting place near 12 years

On the Pilgrim's departure from Leyden in the Netherlands for the unknown New World.  From Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford, Chapter 7.

The rest of the time was spent in powering out prayers to the Lord with great fervency, mixed with abundance of tears.  And the time being come that they must depart, they were accompanied with most of their brethren out of the city, unto a town sundry miles off called Delfshaven, where the ship lay ready to receive them.  So they left that goodly and pleasant city, which had been their resting place near 12 years; but they knew they were pilgrims, and looked not much on those things, but lift up their eyes to the heavens, their dearest country, and quieted their spirits.  When they came to the place they found the ship and all things ready; and such of their friends as could not come with them followed after them, and sundry also came from Amsterdam to see them ship and to take their leave of them.  That night was spent with little sleep by the most, but with friendly entertainment and christian discourse and other real expressions of true christian love.  The next day, the wind being faire, they went aboard, and their friends with them, where truly doleful was the sight of that sad and mournful parting; to see what sighs and sobs and prayers did sound amongst them, what tears did gush from every eye, and pithy speeches pierced each heart; that sundry of the Dutch strangers that stood on the key as spectators, could not refrain from tears.  Yet comfortable and sweet it was to see such lively and true expressions of clear and unfeigned love.  But the tide (which stays for no man) calling them away that were thus loath to depart, their Reverend pastor falling down on his knees, (and they all with him,) with watery cheeks commended them with most fervent prayers to the Lord and his blessing. And then with mutual embraces and many tears, they took their leaves one of an other; which proved to be the last leave to many of them.

 

Indeed, only half of those who shipped, survived the first year in the New World.  51 of the 102 original pilgrims.