There is a land, of every land the pride,
Beloved by Heaven o'er all the world beside;
Where brighter suns dispense serener light,
And milder moons emparadise the night;--
There is a spot of earth supremely blest,
A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest
Where man, creation's tyrant, casts aside
His sword and sceptre, pageantry and pride,
While in his softened looks benignly blend
The sire, the son, the husband, brother, friend;--
"Where shall that land, that spot of earth, be found?"
Art thou a man?--a patriot?--look around!
O, thou shalt find, where'er thy footsteps roam,
That land thy country, and that spot thy home!
--_Sir Walter Scott._
896
It is a great happiness, if after being absent from home for a time you
find no troubles awaiting your return.
897
Filling a house with bargains is apt to keep a couple from owning the
house in which they place them.
898
'Tis sweet to hear the watch-dog's honest bark
Bay deep-mouthed welcome as we draw near home;
'Tis sweet to know there is an eye will mark
Our coming, and look brighter when we come.
--_Byron._
899
My house, my house, though thou art small,
Thou art to me a palace.
900