NOTHING BUT HALCYON DAYS. We will have Nothing but halcyon days. Oh, we will live As happily as the bees that hive their sweets, As gaily as the summer fly, but wiser: I'll be thy servant ever; I will be The sun o' thy life, faithful through every season, And thou shalt be my flower perennial, And I will swear thine eyes are like the stars, Thyself beyond the nymphs who, poets feign'd, Dwelt long ago in woods of Arcady. FAR ABOVE RUBIES. "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships, she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good; her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry, her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates." Proverbs of Solomon. sympathy which I cannot but feel towards many of those whom I meet with, makes me think how delightful it would be to have daily intercourse with those with whom I feel it thoroughly. What people do in middle life without a wife and children to turn to I cannot imagine, for I think the affections must be sadly checked and chilled, even in the best men, by their intercourse with people, such as one usually finds them in the world. I do not mean that one does not meet with good and sensible people; but then their minds are set, and our minds are set, and they will not in mature age grow into each other; but with a home filled with those whom we entirely love and sympathise with, and with some old friends, to whom one can open one's heart fully from time to time, the world's society has rather a bracing influence to make one shake off mere dreams of delight. Dr. Arnold. HOME'S ATTRACTIONS. Oh, happiest they, whose early love unchanged, Hopes undissolved, and friendship unestranged, Tired of their wanderings, still can deign to see Love, hopes, and friendship, centering all in thee! O. W. Holmes. LET LOVE MAKE HOME A GRACIOUS COURT. Keep your modest familiar style For strangers, but respect your friend— Her most whose matrimonial smile Is and asks honour without end. In sloth's unceremonious rags. And learn to bow, and stand, and gaze; None treading on another's train. Anon. HOME IS WHERE THERE'S ONE TO LOVE. Home's not merely four square walls, Fill'd with shrines the heart hath builded! Home! go watch the faithful dove, Sailing 'neath the heaven above us; Home is where there's one to love! Home is where there's one to love us! Home's not merely roof and room, Where there's some kind lip to cheer it! What is home with none to meet, None to welcome, none to greet us? Home is sweet- and only sweet Where there's one we love to meet us! Charles Swain. |