Page:Home; or, The unlost paradise (IA homeorunlostpara00palm).pdf/109

Amid Home's peacefulness, and with such tasks
As here the tranquil days may best beguile,
To wait till evening shadows gently fall.
Home hath not lost its sweetness—its content,
Though missed the cheerful voices, heard of old
Echoing through hall and chamber; though the night
Descend in solemn silence, where so oft
At close of day, for many a year, did float
On the still air enchanting harmonies.
No lonely hearts here dwell, that do but live
In sad, submissive patience, and earth's joys
For them all vanished deem, to come no more.

  No—no! Not such the transformation wrought
By Time and Change, though wondrous be their power.
While creepeth stilly on life's closing scene,
And with the hoary head and trembling hand
Come signs of weariness, and for itself
Toil seems no more a pleasure; yet 'tis left
On the fled past to muse; and still to find
Companionship in books, or friends, around