The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1892-03-11
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BICK ON THE FIRM -IGIIN!

BACK ON THE FIRM -IG4IN!
Country Gentleman.
Back on the farm again A glad release
FROM noise and stir, to this domain of peace.
Ihe city streets, walled in on either side
With brick and mortar, hold a restless tide
vi, M life, with no glad impulse free
That is not touched by human misery.
Wealth Jostles want, and sin and virtue meet,
Or walk together, through the crowded street.
On the farm only see
Nature in her purity.
Flowers bloom and grasses grow
From the seeds plant or sow;
Grass or grain choose, and find
Nature to my wants inclined;
AND the winds, unveXed, are free
In their blessed ministry
Full of health and odors sweet
Found not in the crowded street.
This is rest-a joy to be
From the city's turmoil free.
VI midnight revels from the haunts of sin;
And toll unveXed by the unhOly strife
That in the city frets and fevers life.
Back on the farm again! hear no more
The din of trade, with its tumultous roar,
or walk or ride through streets defled, and
made
At brightest MONDAY but a nosome shade
Through which the odoTs of a foul decay
Are wafted freely, If by night or day;
Where night or day the tread of weary feet
Goes echolng down the long and tireSomeStreet.
On the farm the clover grows,
Breath as sweets as any rose;
And the wings of busy bees
Flying DER these crimson seas,
Honey laden. tell that they
Dutys call with cheer obey;
While the merry-making birds,
Knowing not the form of words,
In a language all their own
PralSe the Lord for mercieS shown;
City choirs and organ notes
Equal not their tuneful Threats
In grand cathedrals city folks may try
10 worship God; but underneath the sky,
In natures temple, God himself is there,
his ear attent to every song or prayer.
Back on the farm again! The years spent
In city life We're more than Punishment;
They filled my soul with anxious cares-unrest
FOR those, my children, loved and cherished
best;
Shut out from nature, with no healthful play,
On grassy lawns as day succeeded day.
No fruits or flowers in easy reach, fresh grown,
No trees or plants, or playground, all their own.
On the farm the children know
Where the sweetest berries grow,
When the nuts are ripe to fall,
Where the apple, large or small,
That is mellow, tart or sweet
Good enough for kings to eat;
And to see them in the spring
Open-eyed and wondering,
As the buds to blossoms grow
And their wealth of color show
Then know how great the charm
Childhood finds upon the farm.
All then it is the city seems to me
The bane OF childhood-life mockery.
In cellars damp, in garrets dark and chill,
For childhood these breed only human i'll.
Back on the farm again! look around,
All sights but please, and TO my ears no sound,
Harsh or dscordant. Earth and air, and sky
Unite and blend in perfect harmony.
The landscape glows with color, and the trees
Wave palms of joy" in every passing breeze :;
And sun and cloud alike their blessings bring
a realm my own and the happy king.
On the farm all days are blest,
Some with toll and some with rest;
Always near to natures heart
She can rarest grace impart.
With the dawn the morning light
Always shows some new delight,
And the noon with radiant face
Is a minister of grace,
And the days declining light
Welcomes the return OF night.
Birds or beast, or great or small
Love the farm-GOd cares for ALL
Earth has no heaven but on the farm see
So much of God, in boundless mercy free
SO little know of greed and want and sin,
My home is here, a castle well walled in.
L. E, SHERMAN