Classic Poem

FIFTY years ago not one
Of us as yet had seen the sun;
Now 'tis sweet to meet and greet
The Pair from whom we all have sprung!
Round the dear old heads all hoary,
Now we see the crown of glory,
Now to others tell the story
Of their life when love was young.
Thus this Golden Wedding call
Finds great and small, and one and all,
At Home , F ATHER ! Home , M OTHER !
All, all, at Home!

In the Vale of Ligonier
The first love-blossom did appear;
Pittsburgh smoke and fair Killbuck
Beheld our growing company:
Cambridge next, in briefest measure;
Then Vermont, whose scenes of pleasure,
Mountains Green and Lake of azure,
Close us round right royally.
Here this Golden Wedding call
Finds great and small, and one and all,
At Home , F ATHER ! Home , M OTHER !
All, all, at Home!

All we children gathered here
Have drawn the life of Parents dear, —
Toils, and cares, and tears, and prayers,
Till their unceasing task was done.
Cares but drew their love-knot tighter;
Toils but wore their love-chain brighter;
Love made every burden lighter
As the tide of Time rolled on.
Now this Golden Wedding call
Finds great and small, and one and all,
At Home, F ather ! Home, M OTHER !
All, all, at Home!

Not all here! Some, far away,
Yet join in heart with us to-day;
Others four are on that Shore
Where parting shall no more be known.
There , with all thus gone before us,
Clustering round T HE T WAIN that bore us,
There alone our perfect chorus
Shall resound before the Throne; —
There the L AMB'S high M ARRIAGE -C ALL
Find great and small, and one and all,
At Home , F ATHER ! Home , M OTHER !
All, all, at Home!