Poems and Essays

by Joseph Howe

 

THE WEDDING DAY.

 
This sunny morn—this sunny morn,
    How fair a dream it brings—
How bright the thoughts, of Mem’ry born,
    It o’er the Spirit flings.

Methinks I still can see thee stand,
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    With pure and stainless brow,
Methinks I press your plighted hand.
    And hear your nuptial vow.

While down your cheek the gushing tear,
    By mingled feelings stirred,
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Rolled in its pearly brightness there
    At every solemn word [Page 111]

That broke the thousand sinless charms
    Round childhood’s dwelling thrown,
And took you from parental arms
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    To give you to my own.

Methinks your cheek this morn appears
    To bear its bridal hue,
Your eye the soften’d radiance wears
    That then it mildly threw.
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Methinks the kiss your lip bestows,
    Thrills through my spirit now
Like that, which, spite the blush that rose,
    Then crown’d our marriage vow.

And though along Life’s varied way
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    We’ve met some cares the while,
I still can see our Wedding Day
    Reflected in your smile.

Though e’en the chilly hand of Death
    Has crush’d one tender flower,
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Its memory, like the perfume’s breath,
    But sanctifies this hour.

And still as time this morning brings,
    May ev’ry year disclose
The depths of those unsullied springs
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    Whence young affection flows.
February 2nd, 1830. [Page 112]