Poems (David)/Golden Wedding of dear Mr. and Mrs. Clark

by Edith Mary David

GOLDEN WEDDING OF DEAR MR. & MRS. CLARK, BELLE-VUE BUILDING, CHELTENHAM.

TIME has but touched with kindly wing,
 Lightly on thy silvery hair:—
Gay garlands did he only fling,
 By fifty years ago my fair!

Soft as the rose on summer morn,
 Is alone thy joyous smile;—
And never in thy face is borne
 E'en a trace I ween of guile!

Then time was young, nor doubt, nor care,
 O'er thy fair face a shade had cast;
Fond youth, and love did only bare
 The glory of the sunny past!

Ah! happy autumn day that shone,
 Upon our hearts so fond and true;
A warmer, or a happier home,
 Surely a human breast ne'er knew!

Firm as the ivy wreaths the tree
 Within its sure and fast embrace:
So clings my loving heart to thee,
 Whene'er I greet thy gentle face!

Smiles and tears have wove their garland,
 Around, alas! our varied way:
And oh! we feel a heavenly hand
 Is with us on this happy day!

Oh! happy be this golden time,
 Wreath'd and twin'd in kindred love:—
Oh! thro' my latter days still shine,
 Bright hours that may as happy prove!

Time has swept with passing breath
 O'er each happy joyous soul:
And till we lie so cold in death,
 Still its tide of love will roll.