 | Wood-notes and Church-bells |  |
14
HOME.
Homeward from my work returning
Lo! a lamp with steady ray
In my distant window burning
Welcomed me at close of day;
O'er the darkening fields it gleamed
And of rest the symbol seemed.
Lo! a lamp with steady ray
In my distant window burning
Welcomed me at close of day;
O'er the darkening fields it gleamed
And of rest the symbol seemed.
Thankfully I saw the token—
Shining on me from afar—
Of domestic peace unbroken;
And I hailed it as the star
Which through all my life had shed
Cheering radiance on my head.
Shining on me from afar—
Of domestic peace unbroken;
And I hailed it as the star
Which through all my life had shed
Cheering radiance on my head.
Oh! the joy of fireside blessings,
Children's voices, smile of wife,
Bliss of infantile caressings,
Heart-refreshing wine of life—
Purple glow of Paradise
Lingering still about our skies.
Children's voices, smile of wife,
Bliss of infantile caressings,
Heart-refreshing wine of life—
Purple glow of Paradise
Lingering still about our skies.
15
On the wall the firelight dances
As joy dances in our hearts,
Interchange of kindly glances
Mutual happiness imparts;
Heavenly watchers from above
Hover o'er that scene of love.
As joy dances in our hearts,
Interchange of kindly glances
Mutual happiness imparts;
Heavenly watchers from above
Hover o'er that scene of love.
Now the long day's labour ending,
Under our own Vine we rest,
And the brow of Care unbending
By Love's hand is smooth'd and blest;
One such hour may well repay
Hardest toil of longest day.
Under our own Vine we rest,
And the brow of Care unbending
By Love's hand is smooth'd and blest;
One such hour may well repay
Hardest toil of longest day.
Blessèd be the God of Heaven,
God of all earth's families,
Who to weary men has given
Homes of rest—sweet oases,
Wells and palm trees, smile and song,
As to Heaven they march along.
God of all earth's families,
Who to weary men has given
Homes of rest—sweet oases,
Wells and palm trees, smile and song,
As to Heaven they march along.
| Wood-notes and Church-bells | |