Prologue To South Ontario Sketches.

The district lying South of Georgian Bay and Lake Simcoe, including Toronto.             My friends we sing Canadian themes,                 For in them we proudly glory,             Her lakes and rivers and her streams,                 Worthy of renown in story;             And in these leaves we hope is strewn                 Some wheat among the chaff,             And maple boughs by rude axe hewn,                 Where one may find a rustic staff;             To help him o'er the rugged lines                 If he to weariness inclines.             Some see no beauties near to home,                 But do admire the distant far,             They always love abroad to roam,                 View glory in but far off star;             But let it never be forgot                 That distant hills when closer seen             Are after all a barren spot                 Not like your own hills clad in green;             You'll find they are but idle dreams                 To seek for happiness afar.             At home there's lovely lakes and streams,                 Remain content now where you are;             At us we hope you will not rage                 Because we sing of local charms             In each varied town and village                 As well as round our local farms,             But our address it must be brief,                 So now we bid you all adieu,             But of our book pray read each leaf                 Until the whole you have gone through;             Each one doth know it is not wise,                 Though our songs may not be vocal,             Chants of our home for to despise,                 But prize them 'cause they are local.