p. 10 | THE WELCOME BACK by Eliza Cook

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 1, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 13.

THE WELCOME BACK.

By Eliza Cook

SWEET is the hour that brings us home, Where all will spring to meet us; Where hands are striving as we come, To be the first to greet us. When the world hath spent its frowns and wrath, And care hath been sorely pressing; 'Tis sweet to turn from our roving path, And find a fireside blessing. O, joyfully dear is the homeward track, If we are but sure of a welcome back.

What do we reck on a dreary way Tho lonely and benighted, If we know there are lips to chide our stay And eyes that will beam love-lighted? What is the worth of your diamond ray, To the glance that flashes pleasure; When the words that welcome back betray, We form a heart's chief treasure? O, joyfully dear is our homeward track, If we are but sure of a welcome back.

—Eliza Cook.