Page:Home; or, The unlost paradise (IA homeorunlostpara00palm).pdf/81

And silent solitude where knowledge dwells,
Long years whose disciplines may manhood yield.
Yes, Learning, 'tis of Home that thou art born!
Its needs demand thee and its tastes create.
Thy schools, thy classic halls and tranquil shades,
Haunted with memories of the nobly great,
Whose storied deeds and names that cannot die,
The pride of ages dead, enchantment lend
That seems like perfume breathed on all the air;
Where linger still the echoes ever sweet
Of lays renowned that Time's great bards have sung;
Where yet resound the words of fire pronounced
By orators who spake when balanced hung
On the swift moment destinies sublime;
Where, in fit gallery and alcove ranged,
Stand art's grand triumphs, wisdom's treasured lore,
All wonders most divine by genius wrought,
Of centuries the lesson and the light;—
These—these of household culture are the fruit;
Culture that early, as with heaven's own fire,
Inflames the generous heart; refines, exalts,