A word went over the many miles
Of the well-tilled land where the Tiffin smiles,
And sought no youthful ear in vain:
"_There's a wedding a-coming off at Lane!_"
They stood in the shade of the western door--
Father, mother, and daughter one--
And gazed, as they oft had gazed before,
At the downward glide of the western sun.
The rays of his never-jealous light
Made even the cloud that dimmed him bright;
And lower he bent, and kissed, as he stood,
The lips of the distant blue-eyed wood.
And just as the tired sun bowed his head,
The sun-browned farmer sighed, and said:
And so you'll soon be goin' away,
My darling little Bess;
And you ha' been to the store to-day,
To buy your weddin'-dress;
And so your dear good mother an' I,
Whose love you long have known,
Must lay the light o' your presence by,
And walk the road alone.
So come to-night, with mother and me,
To the porch for an hour or two,
And sit on your old father's knee,
And talk, as we used to do;
For we, who ha' loved you many a year,
And clung to you, strong and true,
Since we've had the young Professor here,
Have not had much of you!
But lovers be lovers, while earth endures;
And once on a time, be it known,
_I_ helped a girl with eyes like yours
Construct a world of our own;
And we laid it out in a garden spot,
And dwelt in the midst of flowers;
Till we found that the world was a good-sized lot,
And most of it wasn't ours!
You're heavier, girl, than when you come
To us one cloudy day,
And seemed to feel so little at home,
We feared you wouldn't stay;
Till I knew the danger was passed, because
You'd struck so mortal a track,
And got so independent an' cross,
God never would let you back!
But who would ever ha' had the whim,
When you lay in my arms an' cried,
You'd some day sit here, pretty an' prim,
A-waitin' to be a bride!
But lovers be lovers, while earth goes on,
And marry, as they ought;
And if you would keep the love you've won,
Remember what you've been taught:
Look first that your wedded lives be true,
With naught from the other apart;
For the flowers of true love never grew
In the soil of a faithless heart.
Look next that the buds of health shall rest
Their blossoms upon your cheek;
For life and love are a burden at best,
If the body be sick and weak.
Look next that your kitchen fire be bright,
And your hands be neat and skilled;
For the love of man oft takes its flight,
If his stomach be not well filled!
Look next that your money is fairly earned,
Ere ever it be spent;
For comfort and love, however turned,
Will ne'er pay six per cent.
And, next, due care and diligence keep
That the mind be trained and fed;
For blessings ever look shabby and cheap,
That light on an empty head.
And if it shall please the gracious God
That children to you belong,
Remember, my child, and spare the rod
Till you've taught them right and wrong;
And show 'em, that though this life's a start
For the better world, no doubt,
Yet earth an' heaven ain't so far apart
As many good folks make out!