Page:National Lyrics.pdf/303

Rh

There by the hearth should many a glorious page, From mind to mind th' immortal heritage, For thee its treasures pour; Or music's voice at vesper hours be heard, Or dearer interchange of playful word, Affection's household lore.

And the rich unison of mingled prayer, The melody of hearts in heavenly air, Thence duly should arise; Lifting th' eternal hope, th' adoring breath, Of spirits, not to be disjoined by death, Up to the starry skies.

There, dost thou well believe, no storm should come To mar the stillness of that angel-home;— There should thy slumbers be Weighed down with honey-dew, serenely blessed, Like theirs who first in Eden's grove took rest Under some balmy tree.