 | Poems and Songs |  |
7
The Kindly Hearth.
I
Of all the joys on earth,The sweetest yet I've found it
Upon the kindly hearth,
With loving hearts around it;
Where Mally sits at ease,
And, singing, plies her knitter,
While children round my knees
Delight me with their twitter.
Chorus—
Of all the joys on earth,The sweetest yet I've found it
Upon the kindly hearth,
With loving hearts around it.
8
II
Give me a cosy chairBeside the glowing ingle,
When kindly hearts are there,
In simple bliss to mingle;
And there, though gloomy skies
Above my roof are scowling,
I'll bask in sunny eyes,
While wintry winds are howling.
Chorus—
Of all the joys on earth,The sweetest yet I've found it
Upon the kindly hearth,
With loving hearts around it.
III
Oh dearer far to meThan prison'd lark or linnet,
The home that rings with glee
From happy creatures in it;
The little realm divine,
With rosebuds ever clinging,
Where heart-warm sunbeams shine,
And birds of love are singing.
Chorus—
Of all the joys on earth,The sweetest yet I've found it
Upon the kindly hearth,
With loving hearts around it.
9
IV
Oh happy is the wight,Beyond the cold world's knowing,
With nature true and bright
Within his bosom glowing;
Howe'er the seasons run,
Or fickle fortune flout him,
His kind heart, like the sun,
Still warms the world about him.
Chorus—
Of all the joys on earth,The sweetest yet I've found it
Upon the kindly hearth,
With loving hearts around it.
V
Some may pine for fame,Some for piles of treasure;
Some may chase the flame
That leads to painful pleasure
Though lowly be my share,
My pouches scant of money,
I love the fireside fair
Where all is sweet and sunny.
10
Chorus—
Of all the joys on earth,The sweetest yet I've found it
Upon the kindly hearth,
With loving hearts around it!
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