To Lawrence Shuster Esqr.
"The Song of the Farmer" (1854)
by Alice Hawthorne
[pseud. for Septimus Winner, 1827-1902]

Philadelphia: Winner & Shuster, 110 North Eighth St.
[Source: 771360@LoC]

1.
I have cattle that feed in the valley,
And herds that graze on the hill,
And I pride in the fruits of my labor,
For I'm lord of the land that I till;
I have plowed the rough hill and the meadow,
'Till feeble with age and with toil,
And I know before long that another,
Shall reap the fruits of the soil.

2.
For the son that hath toil'd for me ever,
And faithfully stood by my side,
Hath a hand that shall gather the harvest,
When his feeble old father hath died,
And the daughter so kind to her mother,
Shall share with him all I posess,
For I feel that they love me as father,
And welcome my tender caress.


3.
There's my faithful, my trusting companion;
My kindhearted, dear-loving wife,
I have toil'd for her comfort with pleasure,
For such was the pride of my life,
And still in my manhood I love her,
For her kind and affectionate care,
And all that the earth can afford me,
With her I mostly willingly share.