Classic and Contemporary Poetry
VERSES TO -- --, ON THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR MARRIAGE, by BERNARD BARTON Poet's Biography First Line: Sweet is the early dream of love Last Line: Be heaven's eternal jubilee. Alternate Author Name(s): Quaker Poet Subject(s): Anniversaries | ||||||||
SWEET is the early dream of love, When first we feel its sacred sway; When earth around, and heaven above, Seem lit by joy's new-dawning ray. Then nature's charms more radiant seem, Opening fresh beauties to our view; Joy dances on the sparkling stream, Hope lends the flower its brightest hue. More chasten'd, but more justly dear, Are love's delights in manhood's strife; When month by month, and year by year, Have brought us to the noon of life. Some of the fabrics Fancy built In earlier hours, perchance have faded; And many a prospect Hope had gilt, Experience may have somewhat shaded: Yet not the less we fondly prize That which has stood Time's potent test; What has surviv'd, still proudly vies With all we fancied we possess'd. Earth's loveliest bower more lovely seems In the sun's fierce meridian heat; And thus, in manhood's bustling schemes, Domestic bliss is doubly sweet. But oh! more hallow'd, calm, and pure, Than love's first dawn, or noon-tide ray, Those milder glories which endure Through both, and mark its closing day. Then, then we know the light that blest Our morn and zenith, GOD hath given; Its beams, like suns which reach the west, Seem opening vistas into heaven. For you, who, in a good old age, Have reach'd this calm and glorious hour, Whom half a century's pilgrimage Has taught to bless love's soothing power; For you, what wish could bard express Which Providence has not surpass'd? May then your well-earned happiness Be pure and cloudless to the last. Since it has been your lot to prove All that this world can give to please, Mutual affection, filial love, And children's children round your knees; May consciousness of present bliss, An earnest of your future be; And holier, happier far than this, Be heaven's eternal jubilee. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE ANNIVERSARY by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER FEBRUARY 1944 [OR, THE GIANT WEAPON] by KENNETH REXROTH THE SYMPATHIES OF THE LONG MARRIED by ROBERT BLY TO HIS WIFE ON THE 16TH ANNIVERSARY OF HER WEDDING DAY, WITH A RING by SAMUEL BISHOP EPIGRAM ON MY WEDDING DAY: TO PENELOPE by GEORGE GORDON BYRON WEDDING ANNIVERSARY by SYDNEY LEA THE ANNIVERSARY by DAVID BOTTOMS THE ANNIVERSARY by GAMALIEL BRADFORD WEDDING ANNIVERSARY by MARGARET E. BRUNER BRUCE AND THE SPIDER by BERNARD BARTON |
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