Here once an ancient homestead stood,
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Gray with long years, of fashion old,
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From stately oak, from hallowed wood,
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Were hewn its beams, and strong and good
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Uprose its walls, a race to hold.
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Here round the hearth sat sires and sons,
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Mothers and babes, a charming throng;
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Eight times renewed the long line runs,
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The youths became the aged ones,
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The children grew to manhood strong.
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Honor and virtue here held sway,
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And courage high in word and deed,
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Forth went the statesman on his way,
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Forth marched the soldier to his fray,
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A sturdy race from sturdy seed.
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Gone are the walls that stood so long,
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Mossed roof and chimney, all are gone,
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Where sheltered happy lives were passed
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Now blows at will the winter blast,
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There is no home, the spot is lone.
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Yet stay, what wonders love hath wrought!
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Here is the hearthstone of a race,
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The threshold that their feet have sought,
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Here to our view the bounds are brought,
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And ivies the old chimneys grace.
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Oh! rooms unseen by mortal eyes,
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Wherein may move the friendly guest,
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Oh! walls invisible that rise
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With household gods in unknown guise,
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What is there to meet our quest ?
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Behold, the vanished home uprears
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This granite shaft whereon today
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Wrought in enduring bronze appears
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One who shall greet the coming years,
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Chief of his race, who seems to say:
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Here once an ancient homestead stood,
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Gray with long years, of fashion old,
|
From stately oak, from hallowed wood
|
Were hewn its beams, and strong and good
|
Uprose its walls, a race to hold.
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