THE SEASIDE AND THE FIRESIDE.

1850.

DEDICATION.

As one who, walking in the twilight gloom, Hears round about him voices as it darkens,

And, seeing not the forms from which they come, Pauses from time to time, and turns and hearkens,

So walking here in twilight, O my friends!
I hear your voices, softened by the distance,
And pause, and turn to listen, as each sends

His words of friendship, comfort, and assist

ance.

If any thought of mine, or sung or told,
Has ever given delight or consolation,
Ye have repaid me back a thousand fold,
By every friendly sign and salutation.

Thanks for the sympathies that ye have shown! Thanks for each kindly word, each silent to

ken,

That teaches me, when seeming most alone, Friends are around us, though no word be

spoken.

Kind messages, that pass from land to land; Kind letters, that betray the heart's deep his

tory,

In which we feel the pressure of a hand, ·

One touch of fire, and all the rest is mystery!

The pleasant books, that silently among

Our household treasures take familiar places,