quote · Legacy record
’Twas early day, and sunlight streamed Soft through a quiet room, That hushed, but not forsaken seemed, Still, but with nought of gloom. For there, secure in happy age, Whose hope is from above, A father communed with the page Of heaven-recorded love. Pure fell the beam and meekly bright On his gray holy hair, And touched the book with tenderest light, As if its shrine were there. But, oh, that patriarch’s aspect shone With something lovelier far; A radiance all the spirit’s own, Caught not from sun or star. Some word of life e’en then had met His calm benignant eye, Some ancient promise breathing yet Of immortality. Some heart’s deep language, where the glow Of quenchless faith survives; For every feature said, “I know That my Redeemer lives.” And silent stood his children by, Hushing their very breath, Before the solemn sanctity Of thoughts o’ersweeping death. Silent, yet did not each young heart With love and reverence melt; Oh blest be those fair girls, and blest That home where God is felt.
’Twas early day, and sunlight streamed Soft through a quiet room, That hushed, but not forsaken seemed, Still, but with nought of gloom. For there, secure in happy age, Whose hope is from above, A father communed with the page Of heaven-recorded love. Pure fell the beam and meekly bright On his gray holy hair, And touched the book with tenderest light, As if its shrine were there. But, oh, that patriarch’s aspect shone With something lovelier far; A radiance all the spirit’s own, Caught not from sun or star. Some word of life e’en then had met His calm benignant eye, Some ancient promise breathing yet Of immortality. Some heart’s deep language, where the glow Of quenchless faith survives; For every feature said, “I know That my Redeemer lives.” And silent stood his children by, Hushing their very breath, Before the solemn sanctity Of thoughts o’ersweeping death. Silent, yet did not each young heart With love and reverence melt; Oh blest be those fair girls, and blest That home where God is felt.
In print by 1888 AD · industrial
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Meaning not yet available
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Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Mrs. Hemans (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1888 AD · industrial
In print by 1888: recorded in A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 299 · printed citation: Mrs. Hemans · subject: HOME
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.