The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-01-07
POETRY.
The Silver wedding.

This is my silver wedding night,
The trembling stars are shining bright,
The new moon, like an angels crown,
Is sinking calmly, slowly down
In sunsets silver lap to rest
Like tired bird that seeks its nest!
Its silver rays now pierce the gloom
That still pervades my lonely room.
stars have not changed nor fair moonlight;
But shine the same as on that night
gave youths loving heart and hand
TO one who walks the better land.
Nv ewes now fill with binding tears.
As DER the landscape of these years
look with longing, yearning gaze
To sec the friends of other days,
Who ON that bridal eve did come
To greet me with loves gentle tone.
They come not--but before my eyes
Earth's mists and exhalations rise,
And dim the brightness ofthe past
That was too beautiful to last.
Two shadows come-nor will they hce,-
SO Dense they overshadow mel
I've seen my brightest hopes decay,
Like flowers beneath the noontide ray
o., I did love my frst-born SO!
Ii sinks my heart in waves ofwo,
To feel she'll come no more 10 me,
10 cheer me DER lifc's darkened sea.
My bridegroom five long years hath slept,
And many are the tears I've wepti
SIS In Autumn's blast, in Summers bloom,
I've kept lone vigils DER their tomb.
on Bramhall's sunny hill they sleep
Father and child--Ah! let me weep!
l listen that l now may hear
Some token that he iOy ed are near.
would that none may now intrude
Upon my sacred solitude.
And while list, the clock strikes eight
Its very tones seem desolatc!
This hour we breathed our marriage vow.
Before friend whose noble brow
Now thickly spread with hoary hairs
The winter time of life declares.
The bridesmaid and the groomsman sleep
In death-he, where the palm-trees weep
Above his slumbers. far away
Beyond the sea-she, where the day
Throws its first beams so soft and still.
Athwart the brow of Munjoy's Hill.
list again--and to mine ear
There comes a tone sweet and clear,
Her roice that long in death was still
Its echoes make my pulses THRILL
And through the shades of evening air,
see such robes as angels wear:
Yes, on this bridal eve they come
10 cheer me In my lonely homo,
And on my Silver Wedding even
They bring frorn their bright home in Heaven
rhe silver cross and pearly crown
The Saviour came to earth and won
Tho bridegroom spake, though long since dead
These sacred words to me he said:
Remember, If the cross you bear,
That you in Heaven the crown will wear;
Ifyou would have these symbols thine,
Live holy on the shores of time;
And then. when fifty years told,
These sacred gifts will change to gold.
From earthly love take my flight,
With blessings. on this wedding-night,
For must soar beyond the stars.
Ere morn unfolds her silver bars,
Ny angel child breathes in mine ear.
II bring to thee, my mother dear,
This gift ofloye, all bright and fair.
silver harp for thee bear.
This gift of love all bright and fair,
silver harp for thee bear.
You've ever loved earth's harmony,
Then take the harp bring to thee;
And you must nightly sweep its strings,
Inspired with Heavens imaginings
Be sure Its brightness will not dim.
While you may chant the praise of Him
Who rules in Heavenly day above,
Where all is goodness, peace and love.
silver lamp, with Heavenly oil.
bring, to tighten earthly toll;
When shadows fall around lifes bark,
Twill brighten all the i.,er dark:
In silver boat with silver sails
Well float before the gentle gales.