Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO HIS WIFE ON THE 16TH ANNIVERSARY OF HER WEDDING DAY, WITH A RING, by SAMUEL BISHOP


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO HIS WIFE ON THE 16TH ANNIVERSARY OF HER WEDDING DAY, WITH A RING, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thee, mary, with this ring I wed' / so, sixteen years ago, I said
Last Line: And teach me all things--but repentance.
Variant Title(s): The Second Marriage
Subject(s): Anniversaries; Birthdays; Gifts & Giving; Love - Marital; Wedded Love; Marriage - Love


'THEE, Mary, with this ring I wed,'
So sixteen years ago I said--
Behold another ring! 'for what?'
To wed thee o'er again--why not?
With the first ring I married youth.
Grace, beauty, innocence, and truth;
Taste long admired, sense long revered,
And all my Molly then appeared.
If she, by merit since disclosed,
Prove twice the woman I supposed,
I plead that double merit now,
To justify a double vow.
Here then to-day, with faith as sure,
With ardour as intense and pure,
As when amidst the rites divine
I took thy troth, and plighted mine,
To thee, sweet girl, my second ring,
A token and a pledge I bring;
With this I wed, till death us part,
Thy riper virtues to my heart;
Those virtues which, before untried,
The wife has added to the bride--
Those virtues, whose progressive chaim,
Endearing wedlock's very name,
My soul enjoys, my song approves,
For conscience' sake as well as love's.
For why? They teach me hour by hour
Honour's high thought, affection's power.
Discretion's deed. Sound judgement's sentence,
And teach me all things--but repentance.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net