Fireside happiness, to hours of ease

Blest with that charm, the certainty to please.

Samuel Rogers (1763-1855): Human Life.

There is no flock, however watched and tended,

But one dead lamb is there;

There is no fireside, howsoe'er defended,

But has one vacant chair.

Henry W Longfellow (1807-1882): Resignation.

To make a happy fireside clime

To weans and wife,—

That's the true pathos and sublime

Of human life.

Robert Burns (1759-1796): Epistle to Dr. Blacklock.