Oh! when it stopped, the boat, and damsels three "Twas like the motion of the lapsing year, Which none would more expect or wish to cease The fancy of old Greece That gave to beauty and to loveliness The definite outline and the shape express, Could not conceive, and therefore could not make, MARRIED LIFE. WRITTEN ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF A WEDDING DAY. THE earth once more hath run its annual round, One in the Lord, as one in heart and choice, For ye alike had chosen the better way, And therefore will with holy glee rejoice, When Autumn grave brings back the wedding-day. All hath not haply been as young conceit Of wedded bliss the story would compose, But have ye found the song of love less sweet Because translated into household prose? Duties there needs must be, and toils, and cares, And there may be some salutary pains, That unexpected come and unawares To all that walk in wedlock's lightest chains. The man who tills the blessed Saviour's land, Must sow a seed that oft is long a growing; And she that would assist with patient hand, Must water daily while her spouse is sowing. The world besieges sore the wedded pair, A POOR MAN'S REASONS FOR NOT MARRYING. 1 I HEARD thy voice amid the psalm, Where many voices meet, Yet thy low voice was like a calm, It was so soft and sweet. 'Twas like a calm upon the ocean, When seas have been in wild commotion. I heard thy voice one summer eve Within thy lowly cot, When I am sure thou didst believe That mortal heard it not. And then thy voice was bold and strong, I heard a meagre mother sing, LINES WRITTEN IMPROMPTU AFTER HEARING A LADY SINGING. LIKE a blithe birdie in a darksome isle Of changeless holly mid a spacious wood; And yet not so, the birdie has a nest, And sings of hopes and joys that yet are coming, And all her callow brood are sunk to rest Dec. 26th, 1840. |