WIFE.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.—Proverbs, xviii. 22.
A prudent wife is from the Lord.—Proverbs, xix. 14.
Seek a good wife of thy God, for she is the best gift of His Providence;
Yet ask not in bold confidence that which He hath not promised:
Thou knowest not His good will:—be thy prayer then submissive thereunto.
And leave thy petition to His mercy, assured that He will deal well with thee.
If thou art to have a wife of thy youth, she is now living on the earth,
Therefore think of her, and pray for her weal; yea, though thou hast not seen her.
They that love early become like-minded, and the tempter toucheth them not:
They grow up leaning on each other, as the olive and the vine.
Martin F. Tupper.
True wife! fond wife! let us together lean,
Like trees with intertwining boughs, that so
Brave angry skies, whatever winds may blow:
And, though there interpose a cloudy screen,
Lift up their heads towards the blue serene
From whence the sunbeams, and the rain-drops flow,
By which they gather strength, and taller grow,
And keep their shoots and saplings fresh and green.
True wife! fond wife! we have together stood,
Through years of trial, each supporting each,
Ever unto the infinite and good,
Thy thoughts than mine have higher, wider reached;
And I have felt how true the wise one’s word;
Thou art indeed a gift, a favour from the Lord!
Egone.
My wife! how fondly shall thy memory
Be shrined within the chamber of my heart!
Thy virtuous worth was only known to me,
And I can feel how hard it is to part.
C. L. Chester.