The poetical works of John Godfrey Saxe :: :: University of Virginia Library

Hear thou my prayer, O angel kind!
Who brought my gladdened eyes to see
Him whom so long I yearned to find,
And gave his dear heart all to me;
O, guard him well, that I may prove
Blest in my lover and my love.

And keep thou her whose fearful breast
Still trembles for its new-found joy
(Knowing, ah me! but little rest),
Lest envious maids or gods destroy
This wondrous happiness that seems
Too bright for aught save angel dreams.

O, bless us twain! and kindly teach;
And safely guard each hallowed name
From blighting hint or blasting speech
To make our cheeks all red for shame,
That blush not for the love they bear
In thy pure presence, angel fair.

And while, with lips that closer cling
In dread to part, we say “Farewell!”
Keep thou this love a holy thing
That in us evermore may dwell,
By circling hearth or sundering sea,
Where'er our thankful hearts may be!