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196

THE YOUNG BRIDE.

She stood like an angel just wandered from heaven,
A pilgrim benighted away from the skies,
And little we deemed that to mortals were given
Such visions of beauty as came from her eyes.

197

She looked up and smiled on the many glad faces,
The friends of her childhood, who stood by her side,
But she shone o'er them all, like a queen of the Graces,
When, blushing, she whispered the oath of a bride.
We sang an old song, as with garlands we crowned her,
And each left a kiss on her beautiful brow,
And we prayed that a blessing might ever surround her,
And the future of life be unclouded as now.

242

THE NEW HAMPSHIRE GIRLS.

See how yon smiling sisters stand
To greet the sons who roam;
Each daughter waves her snowy hand,
To give the “welcome home!”
See how they form, with lips and eyes,
Hope's radiant band of pearls;
Match if you can, beneath the skies,
Our dear New Hampshire girls!
What though the autumn rain-drops freeze
Where those we love were born?
They win their beauty from the breeze,
Their vigor from the morn!
The tempests round their dwellings shout,
And howls November's storm;
For us their fires are never out,
Whose hearts are always warm.

243

Go forth, poor exiled youth, away,
Where other maidens dwell;
Come back, when all your locks are gray,
To those you loved so well.
Come back, though time has left you poor,
And all your sands have run—
There stands your mother at the door,
To clasp her darling son.
God bless the troop whose nightly prayers
Rise up for those who roam,
God bless them, 'mid their daily cares—
Those guardian saints of home!
Forget not, then, to mingle here
With wit and song your pearls,
And give the swelling heart's full cheer
For our New Hampshire girls!