Poems (Toke)/Lines (Husband, dear husband! since I first for thee)
For works with similar titles, see Lines.
USBAND, dear husband! since I first for theeEntwined a birthday wreath of poesy,And vainly strove to make weak words expressA wife's, a woman's, untold tenderness,Five years have passed; five brief and blessed years.Though not all cloudless; earth must still have tears,And fondest hearts at times the shadows know,That veil in mercy all most bright below.But still for us time's silent footfalls seemTo bring no change in pure affection's dream;No jarring chord to break the blissful spellOf wedded hearts that cannot love too well.Life passes on, its morning visions dieBeneath the weight of stern reality;But nothing time can bring, no smiles or tears,Can touch the love of youth, the love of years.And purer hopes and calmer joys are ours;Ay, mingled still with fancy's wildest flowers.The cares of life full often press on thee,Its lighter shadows fall at times on me;But, dearest, mercies rich and boundless fillOur cup of life with ceaseless bounty still, And every year that o'er our home has passedHas brought some blessing dearer than the last.Around us infant voices ring with glee,A gathering group of fairy forms we see;And if for care and anxious thoughts they call,They bring their birthright, love that sweetens all.Love which parental hearts alone can feel,Unchilled by time, unchanged in woe or weal;And hope that, quenched alone by sin and pain,Needs but one spark to light her torch again.
LINES.
USBAND, dear husband! since I first for theeEntwined a birthday wreath of poesy,And vainly strove to make weak words expressA wife's, a woman's, untold tenderness,Five years have passed; five brief and blessed years.Though not all cloudless; earth must still have tears,And fondest hearts at times the shadows know,That veil in mercy all most bright below.But still for us time's silent footfalls seemTo bring no change in pure affection's dream;No jarring chord to break the blissful spellOf wedded hearts that cannot love too well.Life passes on, its morning visions dieBeneath the weight of stern reality;But nothing time can bring, no smiles or tears,Can touch the love of youth, the love of years.And purer hopes and calmer joys are ours;Ay, mingled still with fancy's wildest flowers.The cares of life full often press on thee,Its lighter shadows fall at times on me;But, dearest, mercies rich and boundless fillOur cup of life with ceaseless bounty still, And every year that o'er our home has passedHas brought some blessing dearer than the last.Around us infant voices ring with glee,A gathering group of fairy forms we see;And if for care and anxious thoughts they call,They bring their birthright, love that sweetens all.Love which parental hearts alone can feel,Unchilled by time, unchanged in woe or weal;And hope that, quenched alone by sin and pain,Needs but one spark to light her torch again.Oh! may that hope undimmed for ever be!God bless them all! and may'st thou live to see,The best reward of all thy pious cares,Each prove in turn the child of many prayers;Each firmly walk in duty's narrow way,And cheer with fondest love thy closing day.
And now thy natal morn proclaims how fastAnother year of manhood's prime has passed,How shall I best the struggling thoughts declareThat throng for utterance? All must end in prayer,That every blessing God can give as bestFor earth and heaven on thy dear head may rest;That joy and grief alike to thee may proveThe gentle tokens of a Father's love,And every year that He shall yet allow,May find us joined in heart and hand as now,Treading with humble hope and holy fearThe path which duty points and love can cheer.
E.
October 6, 1844.