Chapter 3: Home — Where Love Reigns, And Trains

Chapter 3: Home — Where Love Reigns, And Trains
"A spirit dwells by the fireside
When the patter of falling rain
Trembles the leaves of the drooping trees
And drips on the window pane.
O, cold and grey is the world outside,
When the heav'ns grow dark above,
But within, within, at the glowing hearth
Is the tender spirit of love!

"Our genius there at the fireside
Whispers a thousand things.
'O, life is drear and the world is wide,
But a brave heart soars and sings!
Tho' clouds draw round and storms betide,
Within that heart hope springs
And here pure Faith all else beside,
Around it twines and clings!'

"O, precious voice of the fireside!
Sweet spirit of calm and cheer!
Tho' the wild wind roars o'er the pathless wastes,
What matter, so thou art near?
Thy voice ne'er stills tho' the years go on,
When the patter of falling rain
Drips from the eaves and trembles the leaves
And rattles the window pane.
Holy and sacred the voice of home,
It steals to our hearts again."
Beatrice Clayton.