Classic Poem

A ROUND me Life's hell of fierce ardors burns,
When I come home, when I come home;
Over me Heaven with her starry heart yearns,
When I come home, when I come home.
For the feast of God garnished, the palace of Night
At a thousand star-windows is throbbing with light.
London makes mirth; but I know God hears
The sobs in the dark, and the dropping of tears;
For I feel that He listens down Night's great dome,
When I come home, when I come home:
Home, home, when I come home —
Far i' the night, when I come home!

I walk under Night's triumphal arch,
When I come home, when I come home,
Exulting with life like a conqueror's march,
When I come home, when I come home.
I pass by the rich-chambered mansions that shine,
Overflowing with splendor like goblets with wine:
I have fought, I have vanquished, the dragon of toil,
And before me my golden Hesperides smile;
And O, but Love's flowers make rich the gloom,
When I come home, when I come home!
Home, home, when I come home —
Far i' the night, when I come home!

O, the sweet, merry mouths upturned to be kist,
When I come home, when I come home!
How the younglings yearn from the hungry nest,
When I come home, when I come home!
My weary, worn heart into sweetness is stirred,
And it dances and sings like a singing bird
On the branch nighest heaven — a-top of my life —
As I clasp thee, my winsome, wooing Wife!
And thy pale cheek with rich, tender passion doth bloom
When I come home, when I come home:
Home, home, when I come home —
Far i' the night, when I come home!

Clouds fall off the shining face of my life,
When I come home, when I come home,
And leave heaven bare on thy bosom, sweet Wife,
When I come home, when I come home!
With her smiling energies, Faith warm and bright,
With love glory-crowned and serenely alight —
With her womanly beauty and queenly calm —
She steals to my heart with her blessing of balm;
And O, but the wine of love sparkles with foam
When I come home, when I come home!
Home, home, when I come home:
Far i' the night, when I come home!