BRIDAL SONG. SHE. WHERE thou goest I will go, From first kiss to latest breath; HE. Where thou stayest, I will stay, Be thy shelter, friend, and guide. SHE. All thy people shall be mine. All along life's winding way. HE. Thy God my God now shall be ; Bid my stormy spirit see, 'Mid earth's brawls, that rest of love : Star of peace and blessing, dear, Be my guardian angel near, 'Mong men's sinful company! SHE. Thy joy, mine; oh! let me share; With white wings thy shield to be! Roses should thy path adorn, From rough stone and wounding thorn Evermore I'd keep it free! HE. Thy woe, my woe—in our grief, SHE. Thy grave, my grave evermore, Both within one tomb's still breast Close together we will rest, When we leave life's troubled shore ! HE. So thy heaven my heaven shall be ; Painful 'tis earth's bands to break; Yet look up, beloved, for me, When thou weepest for my sake : Whom God joins no death can sever, They shall rise to light for ever, And to heavenly bridals wake! BOTH. Father great, as Love adored, Hear thy loving creatures' prayer! 'Palm Leaves'-KARL GEROK. THE WEDDING MORNING. Two hands together clasped to-day On these two hands which one are made! Two tongues shall with one voice to-day A little word-oh! that it may A life-long thought express! Yet that a blessing crown the word, God's mouth your solemn vow must bless, Two hearts to-day with gladness burn In joy and grief the same : Yet that you may for ever be Bound heart to heart, take heed that ye For ever raise your human love! Two names this morning into one The bride the bridegroom's name hath won Let not the church bells vainly call Go to God's temple then, O twain ! God's voice amid your voices heard, "Palm Leaves'-KARL GEROK. THE HOMES OF ENGLAND. THE stately homes of England! The deer across their greensward bound, And the swan glides past them with the sound The merry homes of England! Around their hearths by night, What gladsome looks of household love There woman's voice flows forth in song, Or childhood's tale is told, The blessed homes of England! That breathes from sabbath hours! Of breeze and leaf are born. The cottage homes of England! They are smiling o'er the silvery brooks, The free fair homes of England! And green for ever be the groves, And bright the flowery sod, Where first the child's glad spirit loves Its country and its God. MRS. HEMANS. HOME. Two birds within one nest; Two hearts within one breast; Two spirits in one fair Firm league of love and prayer, Together bound for aye, together blest. An ear that waits to catch A hand upon the latch; |