For it is that native poetry springing up indigenous to Mind, The word, the king of words, carved on Jehovah's heart! LOVE is a sweet idolatry, enslaving all the soul, A mighty spiritual force, warring with the dulness of matter, How yearningly it stretcheth to the light its sickly long-stalked leaves, How real a living sacrifice to the god of all its worship! Such is the soul that loveth; and so the rose-tree of affection a Bendeth its every leaf to look on those dear eyes, Its every blushing petal basketh in their light, And all its gladness, all its life, is hanging on their love. Ir the love of the heart is blighted, it buddeth not again ; If that pleasant song is forgotten, it is to be learnt no more: Yet often will thought look back, and weep over early affection ; And the dim notes of that pleasant song will be heard as a reproachful spirit, Moaning in Æolian strains over the desert of the heart, Where the hot siroccos of the world have withered its one oasis OF MARRIAGE. SEEK a good wife of thy God, for she is the best gift of his providence; Yet ask not in bold confidence that which he hath not promised. Thou knowest not his good-will:--be thy prayer then submissive there unto; And leave thy petition to his mercy, assured that he will deal well with thee. If thou art to have a wife of thy youth, she is now living on the earth; Therefore think of her, and pray for her weal; yea, though thou hast not seen her. They that love early become like-minded, and the tempter toucheth them not: They grow up leaning on each other, as the olive and the vine. Youth longeth for a kindred spirit, and yearneth for a heart that can commune with his own; He meditateth night and day, doting on the image of his fancy. Take heed that what charmeth thee is real, nor springeth of thine own imagination; And suffer not trifles to win thy love; for a wife is thine unto death. The eye, so brilliant at even, may be red with sorrow in the morning; O nappy lot, and hallowed, even as the joy of angels, Where the golden chain of godliness is entwined with the roses of love : But beware, thou seem not to be holy, to win favour in the eyes of a creature, For the guilt of the hypocrite is deadly, and winneth thee wrath clsewhere The idol of thy heart is as thou, a probationary sojourner on earth; Therefore be chary of her soul, for that is the jewel in her casket. Let her be a child of God, that she bring with her a blessing to thy house, A blessing above riches, and leading contentment in its train: Let her be an heir of heaven: so shall she help thee on thy way; How beautiful is modesty! it winneth upon all beholders: But a word or a glance may destroy the pure love that should have been for thee. Affect not to despise beauty; no one is freed from its dominion: But regard it not a pearl of price :—it is fleeting as the bow in the clouds. If the character within be gentle, it often hath its index in the countenance : The soft smile of a loving face is better than splendour that fadeth quickly. When thou choosest a wife, think not only of thyself, But of those God may give thee of her, that they reproach thee not for their being: See that he hath given her health, lest thou lose her early and weep; See that she springeth of a wholesome stock, that thy little ones perish not before thee: For many a fair skin hath covered a mining disease, And many a laughing cheek been bright with the glare of madness. MARK the converse of one thou lovest, that it be simple and sincere; Observe her deportment with others, when she thinketh not that thou art nigh, For with thee will the blushes of love conceal the true colour of her Hath she learning? it is good, so that modesty go with it: Hath she wisdom? it is precious, but beware that thou exceed; Marry not without means; for so shouldst thou tempt Providence ; But wait not for more than enough; for marriage is the DUTY of most men; Grievous indeed must be the burden that shall outweigh innocence and health, And a well-assorted marriage hath not many cares. In the day of thy joy consider the poor; thou shalt reap a rich harvest of blessing; For these be the pensioners of One who filleth thy cup with pleasures; In the day of thy joy be thankful: He hath well deserved thy praise : Mean and selfish is the heart that seeketh him only in sorrow. For her sake, who leaneth on thine arm, court not the notice of the world, And remember that sober privacy is comelier than public display. If thou marriest, thou art allied unto strangers: see they be not such as shame thee: If thou marriest, thou leavest thine own; see that it be not done in anger. BRIDE and bridegroom, pilgrims of life, henceforward to travel together, Marriage is a figure and an earnest of holier things unseen, The wicked turneth good into evil, for his mind is warped within him; If thou wouldst not suspect, receive full confidence in turn: For where trust is not reciprocal, the love that trusted withereth. Hide not your grief nor your gladness; be open one with the other; your hearts: Imparting halveth the evils, while it doubleth the pleasures of life, But sorrows breed and thicken in the gloomy bosom of Reserve. YOUNG wife, be not froward, nor forget that modesty becometh thee. A matron's modesty is dignified: she blusheth not, neither is she bold. other: Ye have each a soul to be nourished, and a mind to be taught in wisdom, If ye feel love to decline, track out quickly the secret cause; LET no one have thy confidence, O wife, saving thine husband: In the joy of a well-ordered home, be warned that this is not your rest; For the substance to come may be forgotten in the present beauty of the shadow. If ye are blessed with children, ye have a fearful pleasure, A deeper care and a higher joy, and the range of your existence is widened: If God in wisdom refuse them, thank him for an unknown mercy: For how can ye tell if they might be a blessing or a curse? Resignation sweeteneth the cup, but impatience dasheth it with vinegar. |