Page:Home; or, The unlost paradise (IA homeorunlostpara00palm).pdf/79

With lips carnationed and her locks of gold,
To greet the baby house and black-eyed dolls,
Dressed and undressed and nursed through blissful hours.
Frown not when roisterous boys or toss or strike
The bounding ball, or leap, or run, or ride
The mastered steed that, as the rider, loves
The rushing course; or when with ringing steel
The polished ice they sweep in winter's reign.
All pleasing pastimes, innocent delights,
That gladden hearts yet simple and sincere,
Let love parental gather round the Home,
And consecrate by sharing; let it watch
With kind, approving smiles each merry game
That quickens youthful blood, and, in the joy
That beams from crimson cheeks and sparkling eyes,
Its own renew, and live its childhood o'er.
So shall the scenes where life's fleet-footed years
Glide by with noiseless speed at last become
Memory's rich treasure-field, be all o'erspread
As with a radiant flood of golden sheen;