_Dedicated to my friend on his Wedding Day, November 1, 18--_.
Part I.--LOVE.
A glance,--a thought,--a blow,--
It stings him to the core.
A question--will it lay him low?
Or will time heal it o'er?
He kindles at the name,--
He sits, and thinks apart;
Time blows and blows it to a flame,--
Burning within his heart.
He loves it though it burns,
And nurses it with care:
He feeds the blissful pain, by turns,
With hope, and with despair!
Part II.--COURTSHIP.
Sonnets and serenades,
Sighs, glances, tears and vows,
Gifts, tokens, souvenirs, parades,
And courtesies and bows.
A purpose, and a prayer:
The stars are in the sky,--
He wonders how e'en hope should dare
To let him aim so high!
Still hope allures and flatters,
And doubt just makes him bold:
And so, with passion all in tatters,
The trembling tale is told!
Apologies and blushes,
Soft looks, averted eyes,
Each heart into the other rushes,
Each yields, and wins, a prize.
{234} Part III.--MARRIAGE.
A gathering of fond friends,--
Brief, solemn words, and prayer,--
A trembling to the fingers' ends,
As hand in hand they swear.
Sweet cake, sweet wine, sweet kisses,--
And so the deed is done:
Now for life's woes and blisses,--
The wedded two are one.
And down the shining stream
They launch their buoyant skiff,
Bless'd, if they may but trust Hope's dream,--
But ah! Truth echoes--_If!_