“’Tis a homestead that scarce has an equal,
Plenteous in wood and corn-fields, with rich grassy meadow and moorland—
This won my father, long since, in wedding the farmer’s fair daughter;
Here, at length he grew old, like a summer’s eve calmly declining,
Here he spent the best years of his life, and dwelt like a king, amid plenty.
Servants he had by the score—men servants to plough with the oxen,
And maids in the house besides, and children, the joy of their mother—
Thus sowing and reaping, in comfort, from season to season, abode he,
Envied by all around—but having the good will of all men.”—
The Elk Hunters—Runeberg.