The lover sought earth's fairest flowers
To braid in her shining hair.
Deeply they drank at the font of love;
Draughts few natures can hold;
The hours were seasons of perfect bliss;
Each moment more precious than gold.
Days and months flew swiftly by
On the wings of happiness sped,
And two sweet babes were garnered
As the fruit of their marriage bed!
They neither thought nor dreamed of aught
Save their babes and coming bliss;
They greeted the morn with soft caress
And welcomed night with a kiss.
Till, thundering on the wings of Time,
Fate dealt the cruel blow
That dashed a home in pieces
And laid a child-wife low.
The husband pressed her to his breast
And fondly kissed his bride;