THE stranger's heart! oh, wound it not! A yearning anguish is its lot; In the green shadow of thy tree The stranger finds no rest with thee. Thou think'st the vine's low rustling leaves Glad music round thy household eaves; To him that sound hath sorrow's tone -- The stranger's heart is with his own. Thou think' st thy children's laughing play A lovely sight at fall of day; -- Then are the stranger's thoughts oppressed -- His mother's voice comes o'er his breast. Thou think'st it sweet when friend with friend Beneath one roof in prayer may blend; Then doth the stranger's eye grow dim -- Far, far are those who prayed with him. Thy hearth, thy home, thy vintageland -- The voices of thy kindred band -- Oh! 'midst them all when blest thou art, Deal gently with the stranger's heart! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DREAMS by CECIL FRANCES ALEXANDER THE HOUSE OF HOSPITALITIES by THOMAS HARDY OUR HERITAGE by ISIDORE G. ASCHER MOCK EPITAPH ON MR. AND MRS. ESTLIN by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD A NEW PILGRIMAGE: 1 by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT |