The Golden Wedding.

Inscribed to OUR FATHER AND MOTHER, and read on that Anniversary,
FEBRUARY 15TH, 1876.


A half a century of time,
    The mingled pain and bliss
That make the history of life
    Between that day and this;
Two lives that in that morning light,
    Together were made one,
Now standing where the shadows fall
    Athwart the setting sun.

How long it seems!--the devious way.
    And full of toil and pain,--
Yet love and peace kept house with them,
    And love and peace remain.
Though youth and strength and youthful friends
    Were left upon the road
Long since, an honest man is still
    The noblest work of God.

No famous deeds, no acts achieved
    In battle or in state
Make memorable this festal day,
    The day we celebrate:
Divided from the common lot
    By neither tame nor pelf,
Our hearts revere the man who loves
    His neighbour as himself.

The fragrance of the Christian's life,
    Though humble and unknown,
Is a more precious heritage
    Than heirship to a throne.
That lowly roof--what memories
    Of blessings cluster there,
Around the hearthstone consecrate
    By fifty years of prayer!

The shaded lamp, the cheerful fire,
    Our Mother's patient look,
The firelight on her silver hair,
    And on the Holy Book;--
Where e'er our erring feet may stray,
    The welcome waits the same,--
That light, that look will follow still,
And soften and reclaim.

Type of the Fatherhood of God,
    Whose love has kept us still,
In all the changeful scenes of life
    Secure from every ill,
And brought our long-divided band,
    Not one of us astray,
Around our Father's board to keep
    This Golden Wedding Day.

Oh ye beloved and revered!
    Our hearts make thankful prayer,
That still around our household hearth
    There is no vacant chair.
God grant that we may be of those
    Who sing the heavenly psalm,
And sit together at the feast,
    The marriage of the Lamb!

Kate Seymour Maclean

Kate Seymour Maclean, born on January 6, 1829, was a Canadian poet who carved out a significant place for herself in the literary scene of her time. Her poetry often reflected the deep appreciation she had for nature, and she was renowned for her elegant and evocative style. Maclean's work was well-regarded by her contemporaries, and she maintained correspondence with others in the literary community, including famous poets like Bliss Carman and Charles G.D. Roberts. She passed away on March 23, 1914, but her contributions to Canadian literature have left a lasting legacy.

Kate Seymour Maclean

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Kate Seymour Maclean, Simple Poetry

English

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Full fifty years together -
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Through pleasant summer weather,
    Or wintry tempests drear, -
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Yet strong to aid each other,
    You've journeyed side by side

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At the sun bright world around you,
    At the smiling heaven's expanse, -
And then, the slow descending
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Where the light with shade is blending,
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Full fifty years of travel -
    Then, on your worn staves rest,
And welcome home your children,
    And many an honored guest, -
We come to give you greeting, -
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After Fifty Years

A MOTHER'S ADDRESS TO HER FAMILY ON HER GOLDEN-WEDDING DAY.


Just fifty years, my daughters,
    Just fifty years, my son,
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Again before me, with your names, fair Chester's landscape comes,
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