THE MOTHER TO THE BRIDE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2549, 10 November 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE MOTHER TO THE BRIDE.

I am yielding thee, my darling, to a strong and stalwart arm, That shall the buckler be from ill, thy shield from every harm ; I yield thee to a manly heart, whero thou art shrined alone, Ah, birdie mine, make ever thy husband's heart thy throne! Yet oh, forget thou not, dear, the mother who hath stilled Thy baby cries upon her breast, and thy young heait hath filled With early thoughts of Him, without whose blowing nil is nought, And walk thou ever in the ways His holy word hath taught. Then shall thine husband praise thee, thy children's voices bless The name of her who reared them in paths of holiness; And thou shalt see thy daughters take life s most solemn vow Before Uod's sacred altar, as I have seen thee now. Farewell, my best and dearest, loved daughter of my heart, Thino husband waits for thee within, and thou and I must part; Yet oh ! although another en thy love hath now first claim, I charge thee ever hold thou dear thy fond old mother's name. Mine eyes with tears are filling, yet 'tis not, child, with grief, But that mine o'erchanged mother-heart would fain find sornn relief; The tried friends of thy childhood, that thou must leave to-day, Thou knowest well—but, ah, the future who of us can say ? Take, take thy mother's blessing ! for since for thee sho bore The pangs that our first parent brought on women evermore, No sorrow hast thou caused her, no bitter heart-wrung tear, But dutiful and good hast grown in promise year !*y year. God shield thee, God protect thee, God bless thee, darling mine ! The holy flames that fills a mother's hoart shall soon be thine ; I yield thee to another, yet I know 'tis for the besb, The nestling when its wings are grown must leave the parent nest. God speed thee, 0 my dear one ! and may thy bridal flowers Bo emblems of the blossoms that wait thy wedded hours ; And may the golden sun-ray that gilds thy soft brown hair Be token that is heard on high thy loving mother's prayer. Astiey H. Baldwik.