The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-09-26
THE POETS BRIDE.
Conc angel form | see,
Lovely as tints of even ;
/ hear the sigh that gave TO me
The fnire.f work of hcaYcn.n

"Wives should be taken, certainly, for their
own sweet sake alone" Else what chance OF
happiness? Marriages of interest or conven-
fence are frequent; but what are the results
Discomfort, tears, and aching hearts. Rash
and thoughtless marriages are equally unhap-
DIV in their consequences. \ well-considered
marriage is generally productive of as much
happiness as falls to the lot of human nature.
One of the most interesting of such unions was
that of the poet Schiller, with Charlotte Won
Lengefelde. They were much attached to
each other, but numerous obstacles prevented
their marriage, and to the removal of them
the poet dedicated himself Eventually, he was
rewarded with the accomplishment of his de-
sires 1t is delightful to read the poets letters,
in which he speaks of the blessing winch he
experiences in his wife. 81 have now he
saws, "for six days been married man. 1fcel
myself happy, and everything convinces me
that my vile is so, and will be so hereafter.
What a delightful life do now lead look
around me with a cheerful spirit, and my heart
finds a perpetual soothing satisfaction beyond
itself; my mind grateful nourishment and
recreation. My existence is cast into more
harmonious poise. ! have attended TO my tasks
as before, but in more contentment with my
SELF" These, it may be said, are the raptures
of bridegroom. True it is that similar ex-
prcssions are made by almost every happy
man during his honeymoon but the poets
happiness lasted. The tie thus formed, while
it gained in strength by long habit, lost moth
ing of its softness At this moment, however,
20 use an expression of his own, Ga dart from
the clouds struck him down, and left an unex-
pected wound, which was never again to close
throughout his life" A severe affection ofthe
chest appeared, and although it was not imme-
diately fatal, he remained in an invalid state
ever afterwards In this time of trial it is de-
lightful to find how well the poet had done to
choose wife for something better than her
gold. A long time after his marriage, and
when suffering from illness, he writes, EVERY
day grow more and more delighted with my
lot; and the ties between us become more nu-
merous and strongly inte-twined."
that is to say true love-increases with time
A year later he writes, "Life at the side of
q beloved wife, is different thing from what
it is to one who is forsaken and alone. Now,
for the first time, can thoroughly enjoy the
beauty of Nature. 1t clothes itself once more
in poetical images, that come crowding about
me-" The heart of the poet was rapidly ex-
banding in this brief sunshine of his day, too
soon, alas to be sadly overloaded. But in
its darker moments the light of loving nature
was at hand, to cheer and soothe him. His
malady only drew him closer to Charlotte.
"My Illness" he writes, shy deprivingme ofall
power of employment, has so accustomed US to
be always together that now | do not like to
leave her alone. And to myself as well, even
when have work to d. it is source Of de-
light to know that she is near at hand. and her
dear self moving about me. The infantine
purity of her soul, and the heartfelt depth OF
her love, give me positive calm and harmo-
nv of feeling, which but for this were all but
impossible. Were we but both of us in good
health, we should need nothing further to live
as if in Paradise" This language of the heart
needs no comment; VIC may learn from 1t
what the poet must have owed during the rest
of his existence to the presence Of compan-
ion so well deserving of his affection. The
example is worth studying. The happiness
resulting from the love that is steady and
pure, shines like star in this record OF a
faithful life.