LINES TO MY WIFE.

THOU art ever standing near me, In wakeful hours and dreams; Like an angel-one, attendant On life and, all its themes; And though I wander from thee, In lands afar away, I dream of thee at night, and wake To think of thee by day. In the morning, when the twilight, Like a spirit kind and true, Comes with its gentle influence, It whispereth of you. For I know that thou art present, With love that seems to be A band to bind me willingly To heaven and to thee. At noon-day, when the tumult and The din of life is heard, When in life's battle each heart is With various passions stirred, I turn me from the blazonry, The fickleness of life, And think of thee in earnest thought, My dearest one-my wife! When the daylight hath departed, And shadows of the night Bring forth the stars, as beacons fair For angels in their flight, I think of thee as ever mine, Of thee as ever best, And turn my heart unto thine own, To seek its wonted rest. Thus ever thou art round my path, And doubly dear thou art When, with my lips pressed to thine own, I feel thy beating heart. And through the many joys and griefs, The lights and shades of life, It will be joy to call thee by The holy name of "wife!" I love thee for thy gentleness, I love thee for thy truth; I love thee for thy joyousness, Thy buoyancy of youth I love thee for thy soul that soars Above earth's sordid pelf; And last, not least, above these all, I love thee for thyself. Now come to me, my dearest, Place thy hand in mine own; Look in mine eyes, and see how deep My love for thee hath grown; And I will press thee to my heart, Will call thee "my dear wife," And own that thou art all my joy And happiness of life.