Alexandria Gazette

"Festivities are fit for what is happily concluded; at the commencement they but waste the force and zeal which should inspire us. Of all festivities the marriage festival appears the most unsuitable; calmness, humility and silent hope, befits no ceremony more than this."—Goethe.

Lady, thy merry marriage bells are ringing.
And all around thee speaks of festal mirth,
The loss of one so good and fair is bringing
Methinks strange gladness for her father's hearth;
Yet thou amid the throng art pensive sitting,
And well I know these revels cloud thy bliss,
And that thou deemest such triumph unfitting
A solemn and important rite like this.

These flowery wreaths, these sounds of exultation,
Some victor's glorious deeds might celebrate,
But thou canst claim no proud congratulation,
Untried, uncertain is thy future fate;
Nor would true friends a brilliant spell cast o'er thee,
Giving to girlhood's dreams delusive scope,
But rather bid thee view the scene before thee
With calm humility and silent hope.

Thine is a path by snares and toils attended,
Yet, lady, in thy prudence I confide,
Thou art not by mere mortal aid befriended,
Prayer is thy stay, and Providence thy guide:
And should thy coming years with ills be laden,
Thou safely may'st abide the storms of life,
If the meek virtues of the Christian maiden
Shine forth as brightly in the Christian wife.