A BINGHAMPTON HOME.
Reading edition
A lovely, happy, peaceful home, Within the fond embrace Of circling mountains and a stream Of calm meandering grace.
The Susquehanna's limpid flow, With the Chunango strove, And at their mild contention formed The lovely sylvan grove.
Nature smiled sweetly all around This homestead glad and bright, Which seemed peculiarly endowed With heaven's blent rainbow light.
So danced its colours through that home, As if they sought to prove Their harmony with the glad hearts That formed this shrine of love.
A tender wife refined and pure, A husband brave and true Ruled o'er this shrine of happiness, And darling children two.
Blossy, a dark-eyed, happy girl, Whom fourteen years have seen, Blooming in gentle maidenhood, As fair as e'er was seen.
And then a darling child of four, Like a fair beam of light, The household flower, who filled the home With perfume and delight.
Nice Annie, a fair, dimpled girl, Who with untiring care Strove in the home's machinery To take her loving share.
Mary, the maid, with active zeal And ever thoughtful heart. With conscientious care fulfilled Her well-directed part.
Well skilled in culinary lore, Her "graham gems" kept time With all the other household gems Which in rare grace combine.
Accept these simple words of love, Dear friends, as we now part, And guard kind thoughts of me, I pray, Within the household heart.