II. THE GOLDEN WEDDING.
Reading edition
O wife! the fragrant Mayflower now appears, Fresh as the Pilgrims saw it through their tears. So blows our love through all these changing years. O wife! the sun is rising in the east, Nor tires to shine, while ages have increased. So shines our love, and fills my happy breast O wife! on yonder beach the ocean sings, As when it bore the Mayflower's drooping wings. So in my heart our early love-song rings. O wife! the moon and stars slide down the west To make in fresher skies their happy quest. So, Love, once more we'll wed among the blest!