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By the Sea, and Other Verses

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<h2>TO R. T. B.</h2> ON HER MARRIAGE DAY <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> Sister, we know That God is good, and He hath led us on By pleasant ways or painful to this day. Our lives went on together until now. In childhood and in youth the same fond home Hath been our earthly refuge; the same Rock Our shelter when earth had no rest or shade. At the same fancy we have often smiled, For the same sorrow wept; and oft our souls, In mingling aspirations, have sent up The same thanksgiving, the same burning prayer. Yes, we have lived together; we have known The visible blending of the outward life Made real by the holier unison Of loving spirit and aspiring mind. The spells of joy have bound us—and of hope, And tears—which are the diamond links of love— Have made the chain of our affection strong. It may be thus no more; yet—God is good— I hush the moaning of my riven heart, And smile that thou art happy; and give thanks That thy sweet life, rejoicing, hath put on Its richest diadem, its crown of love. May the kind Father grant that crown to be All worthy of the wearer; may His smile Lend brightness to it ever; and at last, When it is laid with earthly robes away, O may the infinite and eternal Love Rest like a glory on thy radiant brow. </div> </div> <hr class="chap" />[Pg 27] <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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