Consolation, The

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <h2>THE CONSOLATION.</h2> <p>Though bleak these woods, and damp the ground<br/> With fallen leaves so thickly strown,<br/> And cold the wind that wanders round<br/> With wild and melancholy moan;<br/> <br/> There IS a friendly roof, I know,<br/> Might shield me from the wintry blast;<br/> There is a fire, whose ruddy glow<br/> Will cheer me for my wanderings past.<br/> <br/> And so, though still, where'er I go,<br/> Cold stranger-glances meet my eye;<br/> Though, when my spirit sinks in woe,<br/> Unheeded swells the unbidden sigh;<br/> <br/> Though solitude, endured too long,<br/> Bids youthful joys too soon decay,<br/> Makes mirth a stranger to my tongue,<br/> And overclouds my noon of day;<br/> <br/> When kindly thoughts that would have way,<br/> Flow back discouraged to my breast;<br/> I know there is, though far away,<br/> A home where heart and soul may rest.<br/> <br/> Warm hands are there, that, clasped in mine,<br/> The warmer heart will not belie;<br/> While mirth, and truth, and friendship shine<br/> In smiling lip and earnest eye.<br/> <br/> The ice that gathers round my heart<br/> May there be thawed; and sweetly, then,<br/> The joys of youth, that now depart,<br/> Will come to cheer my soul again.<br/> <br/> Though far I roam, that thought shall be<br/> My hope, my comfort, everywhere;<br/> While such a home remains to me,<br/> My heart shall never know despair!<br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />