Poems (Cook)/The Welcome back
THE WELCOME BACK.
Sweet is the hour that brings us home,
Where all will spring to meet us;
Where hands are striving as we come,
To be the first to greet us.
When the world hath spent its frowns and wrath,
And care been sorely pressing;
Tis sweet to turn from our roving path,
And find a fireside blessing.
Oh! joyfully dear is the homeward track,
If we are but sure of a welcome back.
Where all will spring to meet us;
Where hands are striving as we come,
To be the first to greet us.
When the world hath spent its frowns and wrath,
And care been sorely pressing;
Tis sweet to turn from our roving path,
And find a fireside blessing.
Oh! joyfully dear is the homeward track,
If we are but sure of a welcome back.
What do we reck on a dreary way,
Though lonely and benighted;
If we know there are lips to chide our stay,
And eyes that will beam love-lighted?
What is the worth of your diamond ray,
To the glance that flashes pleasure;
When the words that welcome back betray
We form a heart's chief treasure?
Oh! joyfully dear is our homeward track,
If we are but sure of a welcome back.
Though lonely and benighted;
If we know there are lips to chide our stay,
And eyes that will beam love-lighted?
What is the worth of your diamond ray,
To the glance that flashes pleasure;
When the words that welcome back betray
We form a heart's chief treasure?
Oh! joyfully dear is our homeward track,
If we are but sure of a welcome back.