Page:Home; or, The unlost paradise (IA homeorunlostpara00palm).pdf/49

Thy matrons, in the halcyon days of yore,
Lived not alone to order well their house
And ply the needle, but with vigorous grasp
Wielded the loom; and from the distaff drew
With busy hand and foot the flaxen thread;
Carded the wool and twirled the humming wheel.
O days of sweet content! No need was then
That commerce rifle every foreign strand
From India to Peru, with raiment meet
Brought from afar, the household to attire.
If of this glory thou no more canst boast
As thou wast wont—so times and manners change—
Yet are thy dwellings Industry's abode;
Her name is honored there. So let it be,
Till Plymouth Rock itself shall waste with years!

  Yes, Mary! If a queen thou hast been crowned,
Forget not that with crowns there needs must come
Duty and care. Life opens now to thee
Its long perspective, and arrayed thou seest,
Far stretching on before, its years of toil;