And as golden as it could be.

“Just think,” the children all called in a breath,

“Tom Wood has run off to sea!

He wouldn’t, I know, if he’d only had

As happy a home as we.”

The night came down, and the good wife smiled

To herself, as she softly said:

“’Tis so sweet to labor for those we love—

It’s not strange that maids will wed!”

ABOU BEN ADHEM.