"and of Wife."
"The thousand still sweet joys of such
As hand in hand face earthly life."
M. Arnold.
"I desired to make her my wife, knowing that she would be a counsellor of good things, and a comfort in cares and grief. For her conversation hath no bitterness; and to live with her hath no sorrow, but mirth and joy."—Wisdom of Solomon.
LINES
WRITTEN ON BEING TOLD THAT A LADY WAS "PLAIN AND COMMONPLACE."
You say that my love is plain,
But that I can never allow
When I look at the thought for others
That is written on her brow.
The eyes are not fine, I own,
She has not a well-cut nose,
But a smile for others' pleasures
And a sigh for others' woes:
Quick to perceive a want,
Quicker to set it right,
Quickest in overlooking
Injury, wrong, or slight.
Nothing to say for herself,
That is the fault you find!
Hark to her words to the children,
Cheery and bright and kind.
Hark to her words to the sick,
Look at her patient ways;
Every word she utters
Speaks to the speaker's praise.