28
The Silver Wedding.
Think they of one bright rose-hued day,
When strong in youthful hope, they stood
The central object for the gaze
Of an admiring multitude,
And spake the words, with earnest breath,
Which made them one,—for life, for death?
When strong in youthful hope, they stood
The central object for the gaze
Of an admiring multitude,
And spake the words, with earnest breath,
Which made them one,—for life, for death?
The passing years to them have brought,
As unto all of human birth,
Such discipline, with anguish fraught,
As makes life seem of little worth—
And joys so deep, so full of heaven,
So overcharged with joy's excess,
That strength divine must needs be given,
Or the heart faints with happiness.
Such destiny our Father gives,
Such checkered lives His children live.
As unto all of human birth,
Such discipline, with anguish fraught,
As makes life seem of little worth—
And joys so deep, so full of heaven,
So overcharged with joy's excess,
That strength divine must needs be given,
Or the heart faints with happiness.
Such destiny our Father gives,
Such checkered lives His children live.
Oh, it is meet, that friends should come
Rejoicing in this festive hour,
That gifts of love should grace the home,
And music yield its thrilling power—
That sweetest, choicest flowers should lend
Their fragrant blossoming to bless,
With gleam of shining ore to blend
Their smiles with nature's loveliness.
One hour like this sends gilded rays
Through all life's darkening future days.
Rejoicing in this festive hour,
That gifts of love should grace the home,
And music yield its thrilling power—
That sweetest, choicest flowers should lend
Their fragrant blossoming to bless,
With gleam of shining ore to blend
Their smiles with nature's loveliness.
One hour like this sends gilded rays
Through all life's darkening future days.
