Poems Sigourney 1827/On hearing a young Lady defend the cause of Matrimony

by Lydia Sigourney

ON HEARING A YOUNG LADY DEFEND THE CAUSE OF MATRIMONY.

'Tis sweet to hear those lips of rose
    The cause of holy wedlock pleading,
While wit his dazzling weapon throws,
    Advancing now,—and now receding.—

'Tis sweet to see that sparkling eye
    The bosom's sacred warmth confessing,
Where sleep those germs of sympathy
    Whose fragrance heightens every blessing.—

And sweet to know that gentle heart
    So skill'd to sooth the hour of sadness,
And charm from pain the envenom'd dart,
    Would bid life's current flow with gladness.

Home is man's ark when trouble springs,
    When gathering tempests shade his morrow,
And woman's love the bird that brings
    His peace-branch o'er a flood of sorrow.

God gave the bond of hearts at first
    To be the crown of Eden's pleasure,
And sure, since earth with thorns was curst,
    It boasts no purer, prouder treasure.

---