The Consolation

Though bleak these woods and damp the

With fallen leaves so thickly strewn,

And cold the wind that wanders

With wild and melancholy moan,

There is a friendly roof I

Might shield me from the wintry blast;

There is a fire whose ruddy

Will cheer me for my wanderings past.

And so, though still where'er I

Cold stranger glances meet my eye,

Though when my spirit sinks in

Unheeded swells the unbidden sigh,

Though solitude endured too

Bids youthful joys too soon decay,

Makes mirth a stranger to my

And overclouds my noon of day,

When kindly thoughts that would have

Flow back discouraged to my breastI know there is, though far awayA home where heart and soul may rest.

Warm hands are there that clasped in

The warmer heart will not belie,

While mirth and truth and friendship

In smiling lip and earnest eye.

The ice that gathers round my

May there be thawed; and sweetly

The joys of youth that now

Will come to cheer my soul again.

Though far I roam, this thought shall

My hope, my comfort everywhere;

While such a home remains to

My heart shall never know despair.

Hespera Caverndel