University of Virginia Library

LINES READ AT A GOLDEN WEDDING, JUNE 6, 1872.

Near three score times the earth has run
Her annual circuit round the sun,
Since, in a distant seaport town,
A city now of great renown,
A sturdy youth and blushing maid,
Their hands on Hymen's altar laid,
Fair visions then in prospect lay
Along that blooming maiden's way,
And glorious hopes without alloy,
Lit the bright pathway of the boy.
For be it known these nuptial scenes
Took place when both were in their teens.
In those remote and simple days,
The wedding tour was not in fashion;
Nor glittering gold, nor diamonds' blaze,
To tempt to envy, pride, or passion.
But bride and bridegroom settled down,
To quiet cares and honest labors,
Whether at country farm or town,
And dwelt in peace beside their neighbors.
And reared up children, eight or ten,
Fair buxom girls and sturdy men,
To fill the ranks as day by day
Fathers and mothers passed away.
Time hastens on, it will not stay,
Those auburn locks are turned to gray,
And verging now upon four score,
Life's cares and duties almost o'er,
You look away to that bright sphere
Which draws each passing day more near,
Through all these eight and fifty years,
Their labors, conquests, joys and fears,
This pair, whatever might betide,
Have walked in wedlock, side by side;
Example worthy of all praise
In these degenerate, freelove days.
Ah, who can tell what homely fare,
What days of toil, what nights of care,
What hopes now buried and forgot,
Through the long years have been your lot.
Your weary journey to the west,
Climbing the mountains rugged breast;
Through miry woods, o'er dusty plains,
'Mid chilling winds and driving rains,
The slow paced oxen guiding still,
With steady persevering will,
Until you found a home and rest
Upon the prairie's flowery breast.
Still dear with memories of the past,
That will not fade while life shall last;
Your lonely home at yonder grove,
Where dwelt contentment's peace and love.
Peace, save when savage beasts or men
Skulked through the thickets, now and then.
Contentment, if your larder's store
Gave competence—you asked no more.
The angry flames that swept from sight
Your cabin on a winter night,
Found you, at morning cold and gray,
From friends and shelter far away.
But yet your courage faltered not,
Nor blenched before your painful lot;
For a new cabin snug and good,
Soon rose beside the ancient wood.
Calamities overcome, make dear
The spot, at which they disappear,
And they who conquer nature, feel
Within their souls, a joyous glow,
That quickens to an earnest zeal,
The weak and timid ne'er can know.
O honored friends, we came to-day,
You neighbors, our respects to pay,
To testify the reverence due
From us and ours to such as you.
True you are not of noble birth,
Ranked with the proud ones of the earth.
Nor do official honors crown
The name of Boyd with great renown.
Yet many a year have Princeton's poor
Found bread and clothing at your door—
Cheering the friendless girl or boy
And making widows sing for joy.
Not often those of lives most true
Who spend their days in useful toil,
Who wield the hammer, till the soil,
Receive the meed of honor due.
Yet these are they who ever stand
The firm, strong pillars of the land.
The sturdy yeoman and his mate,
Uphold and nurse and save the state.