Poems (Edwards)/The Fireside

by Matilda Caroline Smiley Edwards

THE FIRESIDE.

The "fireside!" what a mystic spell,
What magic in that word doth dwell!
The sailor boy, far, far from home,
As bounding o'er the ocean foam
The noble ship is sweeping fast,
Like a proud bird before the blast,
Back to his home his thoughts will glide,
Back to his own loved "fireside."

He sees his father's brow of white,
He sees his sister's eye of light,
He sees again his mother's face,
And feels, once more, her fond embrace;
He sees again his brother's form,
Like sunlight glancing through th.e storm,
And in the bounding billows wide,
He sees again his "fireside."

The warrior rushing o'er the plain
A moment drops his bloody rein,
And sends his thoughtful spirit back
O'er life's long, bright and beauteous track;
He sees again his mother's eye,
He hears again her heaving sigh,
When, on his cheek, her hot tears fell,
And soft she whispered, "Son! farewell;"
He sees again his sister's tear,
He sees his father's brow of care,
And fondly back his thoughts will glide
To that loved spot, the "fireside."

When storms are gathering o'er our way,
When every joy has passed away,
When fortune frowns, and friends are few,
When those we loved have proved untrue,
Oh! then, how sweet, to turn aside
To our loved home and "fireside."