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Old Houses of Salem
Illustrated by George M. White
These humble dwellings, old, and quaint,
The artist bids us view,
A history have; which often shames
The modern, grand and new.
The artist bids us view,
A history have; which often shames
The modern, grand and new.
For here the wealthy, and the poor,
The high-born, and the low
Contented dwelt; nor cared for gain,
For grandeur, and for show.
The high-born, and the low
Contented dwelt; nor cared for gain,
For grandeur, and for show.
Honest and true, and pure, and kind,
Their homes and hearths they loved;
And to each other in their need
They firm and faithful proved.
Their homes and hearths they loved;
And to each other in their need
They firm and faithful proved.
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The wilderness they here subdued,
By manly toil, and pain;
Or on the ocean bravely strove
A livelihood to gain.
By manly toil, and pain;
Or on the ocean bravely strove
A livelihood to gain.
They worshipped God in purity,
In spirit, and in love;
And sought on earth a church to be,
Like to the church above.
In spirit, and in love;
And sought on earth a church to be,
Like to the church above.
They sought a Commonwealth to found,
A free and Christian State;
Now, through their toil and suffering,
Grown strong, and rich, and great.
A free and Christian State;
Now, through their toil and suffering,
Grown strong, and rich, and great.
A lesson may their children learn,
As here their homes they see;
That not in wealth or outward good
Is man's nobility.
As here their homes they see;
That not in wealth or outward good
Is man's nobility.
To keep, improve the heritage,
Which they have handed down;
By virtuous lives, and noble deeds,
Our fathers' work to crown.
Which they have handed down;
By virtuous lives, and noble deeds,
Our fathers' work to crown.
Poem No. 635; c. 23 January 1874
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