Page:Fugitive Poetry 1600-1878.djvu/417

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Our Ain Fireside.
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The poisoned shafts that malice throwsO'er harmless pastime slide,While honest worth an' cheerin' mirthSit round the fireside.   Our ain fireside, my friends,    Our ain fireside;   The warmest glow o' friendship's flame    Shall heat the fireside.
On human worth by length of purseLet worldly slaves decide;The heart to share the world's careAye heats the fireside.   Our ain fireside, my friends,    Our ain fireside;   The sterling value o' the heart    Aye gilds the fireside.
Through rocks and sands to distant landsThe sailor wanders wide,In hopes to shield his crazy eildBy couthy fireside.   The couthy fireside, my friends,    The couthy fireside;   Heaven send the lyart pow o' age    A couthy fireside.
'Tis Heaven that nerves the soldier's armThe battle's heat to bide;He boldly dares the fiercest foeTo shield his fireside.   His ain fireside, my friends,    His country's fireside;   Would ye but warm a coward's heart?—    Insult his fireside.
Gi'e luxury her painted domes,Her palaces gi'e pride;But be my lot a snug warm cotAnd canty fireside.   A canty fireside, my friends,    A canty fireside;   Be aye my lot a snug warm cot    And canty fireside.
When bairnies brattlin round our kneesOn chairs and stoolies ride,What joy heaves up a parent's heartTo see his fireside.