 | Household Verses |  |
125
STANZAS,
TO A FRIEND ON HER MARRIAGE.
“The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich; and he
addeth no
sorrow with it!”—Prov. x.
22.
What can I wish thee, gentle friend,
On this eventful day,
With being's onward course to blend,
Thy spirit's strength and stay?
For on this day there needs must be
Full many an earnest wish for thee.
On this eventful day,
With being's onward course to blend,
Thy spirit's strength and stay?
For on this day there needs must be
Full many an earnest wish for thee.
126
Yet wishes are but idle things,
As all of us well know;—
While prayers may put on angel-wings,
And higher, heaven-ward go!
Since He who condescends to care
For all—still hears and answers prayer.
As all of us well know;—
While prayers may put on angel-wings,
And higher, heaven-ward go!
Since He who condescends to care
For all—still hears and answers prayer.
But answers it as He deems best,
Not always as we ask;
For deeply be this truth imprest,
E'en blessings wear a mask!
And we are often blinded still
Unto our real good, or ill!
Not always as we ask;
For deeply be this truth imprest,
E'en blessings wear a mask!
And we are often blinded still
Unto our real good, or ill!
I, therefore, would not breathe for thee
A prayer scarce understood;
But rather that thy lot may be
What God sees best of good!
Good for thee, while a pilgrim here;
Good for thee, in a happier sphere.
A prayer scarce understood;
But rather that thy lot may be
What God sees best of good!
Good for thee, while a pilgrim here;
Good for thee, in a happier sphere.
127
Be thine the blessing which His
word,
Replete with truths sublime,
Instructs us is to be preferred
To all the things of time;
That blessing which true riches brings,
And addeth none of sorrow's stings!
Replete with truths sublime,
Instructs us is to be preferred
To all the things of time;
That blessing which true riches brings,
And addeth none of sorrow's stings!
May this, my gentle friend, be thine,
And his, who shares thy lot;
Then—whether skies above you shine,
Or lower,—'twill matter not;
For God can temper joy's bright day,
And smile grief's darkest night away.
And his, who shares thy lot;
Then—whether skies above you shine,
Or lower,—'twill matter not;
For God can temper joy's bright day,
And smile grief's darkest night away.
May He remain your rich reward,
His presence ever near;
In prosperous hours your hearts to guard,
In adverse ones—to cheer;
So shall you own, in grateful mood,
He can make all things work for good!
His presence ever near;
In prosperous hours your hearts to guard,
In adverse ones—to cheer;
So shall you own, in grateful mood,
He can make all things work for good!
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