I am the pillars of the house; br The keystone of the arch am I. br Take me away, and roof and wall br Would fall to ruin me utterly. br br I am the fire upon the hearth, br I am the light of the good sun, br I am the heat that warms the earth, br Which else were colder than a stone. br br At me the children warm their hands; br I am their light of love alive. br Without me cold the hearthstone stands, br Nor could the precious children thrive. br br I am the twist that holds together br The children in its sacred ring, br Their knot of love, from whose close tether br No lost child goes a-wandering. br br I am the house from floor to roof, br I deck the walls, the board I spread; br I spin the curtains, warp and woof, br And shake the down to be their bed.