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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE SILVER WEDDING; TO JOHN NEWMAN, D.D. by JOHN GODFREY SAXE

First Line: A WEDDING OF SILVER! - AND WHAT SHALL WE DO?
Last Line: FIND THE YEARS THAT ARE PAST WERE AS SILVER TO GOLD!
Subject(s): MARRIAGE; WEDDINGS; HUSBANDS; WIVES;

"A WEDDING of Silver! -- and what shall we do?"
I said in response to my excellent spouse,
Who hinted, this morning, we ought to renew
According to custom, our conjugal vows.
"I would n't much mind it, now -- if -- and suppose --
The bride were a blooming -- Ah! well -- on my life,
I think -- to be candid -- (don't turn up your nose!)
That every new wedding should bring a new wife!"

"And what if it should?" was the laughing reply;
"Do you think, my dear John, you could ever obtain
Another so found and so faithful as I,
Should you purchase a wig, and go courting again?"

"Ah! darling," I answered, "'t is just as you say;"
And clasping a waist rather shapely than small,
I kissed the dear girl in so ardent a way
You would n't have guessed we were married at all!

My wedding-day, Doctor, is also your own!
And so I send greeting to bridegroom and bride, --
The latter a wife good as ever was known;
The former well worthy her homage and pride.

God bless your new nuptials! -- Still happy at home,
May you both grow serenely and gracefully old;
And, till the auriferous wedding shall come,
Find the years that are past were as silver to gold!



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