Page:Home; or, The unlost paradise (IA homeorunlostpara00palm).pdf/120

 Ye who with ruthless hand would madly tear From the chaste maiden's brow the marriage wreath, The sanctities destroy that God ordained To guard domestic joys; the springs would taint Of pure affection and foul lust unchain To work its will till Homes are known no more; Could the base wish succeed, the race undone, And conscious of its wrong, on you would pour Its curses without measure—well deserved! Religion's ministers! lift up the voice On your high watch-towers, and assert His law Who to unbind what God hath joined forbade. Statesmen! loose not with sacrilegious hand The holy tie without which perish Homes. Know that when Homes shall perish states shall fall, And earth, e'en as the nether world, be hell! The citadel of hope for earth is Home; Home the best type that earth affords of Heaven.

Yes! though like all beneath these changing skies, The joys of Home abide not; though itself