Paw the pebbles and wait your ease,—
Where are the children about your knees,
And the mirth, and the happy man?
The blinds of your mansion are battened to;
Your faded wife is a close recluse;
And your "finished" daughters will doubtless do
Dutifully all that is willed of you,
And marry as you shall choose!—
But O for the old-home voices, blent
With the watery jingle of pans and spoons,