A lovely, happy, peaceful home,
Within the fond embrace
Of circling mountains and a stream
Of calm meandering grace.

The Susquehanna's limpid flow,
With the Chunango strove,
And at their mild contention formed
The lovely sylvan grove.

Nature smiled sweetly all around
This homestead glad and bright,
Which seemed peculiarly endowed
With heaven's blent rainbow light.

So danced its colours through that home,
As if they sought to prove
Their harmony with the glad hearts
That formed this shrine of love.

A tender wife refined and pure,
A husband brave and true
Ruled o'er this shrine of happiness,
And darling children two.

Blossy, a dark-eyed, happy girl,
Whom fourteen years have seen,
Blooming in gentle maidenhood,
As fair as e'er was seen.

And then a darling child of four,
Like a fair beam of light,
The household flower, who filled the home
With perfume and delight.

Nice Annie, a fair, dimpled girl,
Who with untiring care
Strove in the home's machinery
To take her loving share.

Mary, the maid, with active zeal
And ever thoughtful heart.
With conscientious care fulfilled
Her well-directed part.

Well skilled in culinary lore,
Her "graham gems" kept time
With all the other household gems
Which in rare grace combine.

Accept these simple words of love,
Dear friends, as we now part,
And guard kind thoughts of me, I pray,
Within the household heart.