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