Verses - Written After Poem by Mary Anne Browne

It is not in the hall where the sparkling wine flows,
That pleasure, and peace, and contentment are found
For me there is far more enjoyment in those
Dear faces, that now I see smiling around.
It is not in the visions of Folly and Mirth,
That the purest of joy and of happiness is ;-
But oh ! 'if there be an Elysium on earth,
It is this, it is this !'

Yes ; -'tis pleasure indeed to behold each fond face,
That in health and contentment are smiling here now :
To gaze on each being I love so-and trace
A calm satisfaction on each happy brow ;
To feel the fond love that with life had its birth,
And to know it unalter'd-'tis exquisite bliss !
'And oh ! if there be an Elysium on earth,
It is this, it is this !'

Oh ! who ever would sing of the charms of the bowl,
Or spend on its praises one strain or one word,
Who had felt the dear magical ties of the soul,
And domestic delight that awaken'd each chord ?
To sit on an evening like this, round the hearth,
And to feel the soft touch of a sisterly kiss-
If there ever could 'be an Elysium on earth,
It is this, it is this !'

Oh ! I wish not a deeper delight than is known
To my heart in such gentle enjoyments as these :
Tho' the storms have past o'er us, no blossom hath blown,
From the light sapling plant, or the deep-rooted trees ;
By their smiles all the love of my heart is call'd forth,
As the sun draws the scent from the rose by its kiss ; -
'And oh ! if there be an Elysium on earth,
It is this, it is this.'