ANNIVERSARY OF HIS WEDDING-DAY,
WITH A RING, AND THE FOLLOWING LINES.
"THEE, MARY, with this ring I wed," So sixteen years ago I said—
Behold another ring !—" For what?"
"To wed thee o'er again,—why not ?"-
With the FIRST ring I married Youth, Grace, Beauty, Innocence, and Truth; Taste long admir'd, Sense long rever'd: And all my MOLLY THEN appear'd.
If she, by merit since disclos'd,
Prove twice the woman I suppos'd,
I plead that double merit now,
To justify a double vow.
Here then, to-day, (with faith as sure,
With ardor as intense and pure,
As when amidst the rites divine
I took thy troth, and plighted mine)
To thee, sweet girl, my SECOND ring,
A token and a pledge I bring;
With this I wed, till Death us part,
Thy riper virtues to my heart;
These virtues, which, before untry'd,
The wife has added to the bride;
Those virtues, whose progressive claim,
Endearing Wedlock's very name,
My soul enjoys, my song approves,
For Conscience sake, as well as Love's.
For why? They shew me hour by hour Honor's high thought, Affection's pow'r, Discretion's deed, sound Judgment's sentence: And teach me all things-but Repentance !
O! may you walk, as years advance,
Smooth and erect, as now you dance;
May you on each important stage,
From bloom of youth to wither'd age,
Assert your claim to merit's prize,
And, as at present, charm our eyes ;
Observant of decorum's laws,
And moving with the same applause,
May you, thro' life's perplexing maze,
Direct your steps with equal praise ;
Its intricate meanders trace
With regularity and grace;
From the true figure never swerve,
And time in every step observe;
Give ear to harmony and reason,
Nor make one motion out of season!
Thus will life's current gently flow,
And pour forth every bliss below;
Till nature failing, ebb shall bring
Death with his dart-but not his sting!
ASKING MY OPINION OF FRIENDSHIP.
WOULD Chloe know the highest bliss,
That friendship boasts-it must be this ;-
When Hymen crowns what Love begun,
And two fond hearts unite in one;
When each, as to delight or pain,
Is bound in sympathetic chain,
And both reciprocally borrow,
To heighten joy, or sweeten sorrow.
This is the highest bliss below,
This friendship only can bestow;
And may propitious heaven design,
That such a friendship shall be mine,
And since this wish relates to two,
that friendship be with You!
|