Where I am,the halls are gilded,Stored with pictures bright and rare;Strains of deep melodious music Float upon the perfumed air:-Nothing stirs the dreary silence Save the melancholy sea,Near the poor and humble cottage,Where I fain would be!

Where I am,the sun is shining,And the purple windows glow,Till their rich armorial shadows Stain the marble floor below:-Faded Autumn leaves are trembling,On the withered jasmine tree,Creeping round the little casement,Where I fain would be!

Where I am,the days are passing O'er a pathway strewn with flowers;Song and joy and starry pleasures Crown the happy smiling hours:-Slowly,heavily,and sadly,Time with weary wings must flee,Marked by pain,and toil,and sorrow,Where I fain would be!

Where I am,the great and noble Tell me of renown and fame,And the red wine sparkles highest,To do honour to my name:-Far away a place is vacant,By a humble hearth,for me,Dying embers dimly show it,Where I fain would be!

Where I am,are glorious dreaminess,Science,genius,art divine;And the great minds whom all honour Interchange their thoughts with mine:-A few simple hearts are waiting,Longing,wearying,for me,Far away where tears are falling,Where I fain would be!

Where I am,all think me happy,For so well I play my part,None can guess,who smile around me,How far distant is my heart -Far away,in a poor cottage,Listening to the dreary sea,Where the treasures of my life are,Where I fain would be!