(In Imitation of Doctor Cotton’s Fire-side.)
THIS morn, dear Mary, were our hands
United firm in Hymen’s bands;
Bands which to me are sweet!
Though at the altar then I swore
To love my Mary, and adore
The vow I now repeat!
And may recording angels write
Each word that feeling shall indite
In their immortal page:
I vow, then, through each stage of life,
To soothe and cherish my lov’d wife;
And should we see old age,
New charms in her–I’ll then descry,
Though lost the lustre of her eye;
Still shall her fruitful mind
Ten thousand ripen’d charms display,
Conducting me to virtue’s way,
With her the path I’ll find!
Together we will tread her road,
Neither requiring any goad,
Religion our sure guide;
And as the hill of life we reach,
Some moral precepts she shall teach,
In which we’ll both confide.
Should Providence our wish befriend,
And branches round our table send,
New transports we shall feel;
Their ductile minds we’ll then improve,
Sweet task of duty and of love,
Affection’s binding seal!
What pleasure to behold a mind
Chaotic, uninform’d, and blind,
With learning’s rays illum’d!
‘Tis like the op’ning buds of May,
Which some new fragrant charms display,
Each spring that they have bloom’d.
Nor wealth , nor honours, we desire,
‘Tis competence that we require,
And comfort in our home .
This blessing we, my love, enjoy,
No gilded prospects should decoy,
Or make me wish to roam!
My blessing is my own fire-side ,
With thee and virtue for my guide;
I wish –nor ask for more.
Long may our lives thus tranquil flow,
Like some clear current, soft and slow,
Far from all rocky shores!
(Mary Hopkins Pilkington)
More Poetry from Mary Hopkins Pilkington:
Mary Hopkins Pilkington Poems based on Topics: Mind, Love, Life, Emotions, Education, Age, Affection, Desire, Blessings, Duty, Religions & Spirituality- Helen And Sedley (Mary Hopkins Pilkington Poems)
- Selina (Mary Hopkins Pilkington Poems)
- Donald And Jessey (Mary Hopkins Pilkington Poems)
- Mental Sufferings; Or, The Duellist (Mary Hopkins Pilkington Poems)
- Quashey; An Authentic Tale: Founded On Matter Of Fact (Mary Hopkins Pilkington Poems)
- Poetic Lines, Addressed To Four Children (Mary Hopkins Pilkington Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Love Poems, Life Poems, Mind Poems, Education Poems, Age Poems, Desire Poems, Emotions Poems, Blessings Poems, Duty Poems, Religions & Spirituality Poems, Morality PoemsBased on Keywords: conducting, fire-side, requiring, competence, her-i, uninform