Classic Poem

Where I am, the halls are gilded,
Stored with pictures bright and rare;
Strains of deep melodious music
Float upon the perfumed air: —
Nothing stirs the dreary silence
Save the melancholy sea,
Near the poor and humble cottage,
Where I fain would be!

Where I am, the sun is shining,
And the purple windows glow,
Till their rich armorial shadows
Stain the marble floor below: —
Faded autumn leaves are trembling
On the withered jasmine-tree,
Creeping round the little casement,
Where I fain would be!

Where I am the days are passing
O'er a pathway strewn with flowers;
Song and joy and starry pleasures
Crown the happy, smiling hours: —
Slowly, heavily, and sadly,
Time with weary wings must fleet,
Marked by pain, and toil, and sorrow,
Where I fain would be!

Where I am, the great and noble
Tell me of renown and fame,
And the red wine sparkles highest,
To do honor to my name: —
Far away a place is vacant,
By a humble hearth, for me,
Dying embers dimly show it,
Where I fain would be!

Where I am are glorious dreamings,
Science, genius, art divine;
And the great minds whom all honor
Interchange their thoughts with mine: —
A few simple hearts are waiting,
Longing, wearying, for me,
Far away, where tears are falling,
Where I fain would be!

Where I am, all think me happy,
For so well I play my part,
None can guess, who smile around me,
How far distant is my heart, —
Far away, in a poor cottage,
Listening to the dreary sea,
Where the treasures of my life are,
Where I fain would be!