He left his happy cottage home
A stranger in the wilds to roam.
And she, who oft with tender care
Had sought his griefs and joys to share,
Silent assents, with courage tried;
Content midst wilds, if by his side.
Oh wedded love! thou light divine,.
When pure, how brightly thou dost shine.
Wherever thou dost shed thy beam
A desert, doth a garden seem,
Without thee, what where wealth and
The idle play-things of an hour.
Beneath the canopy of state;—
On high born dames thou lov'st to wait,
Nor shuns the humble cottage door;
But shines alike on rich and poor,
Thy light illumed the traveller's way,
And soothed them with thy gentle ray―.
With patient toil, they journeyed on
Till more than half their task was done.
When hope beat high within each breast,
That they would soon find home, and rest.
Thick clouds the face of heaven o'ercast.
Fast fell the rain, fierce howled the blast
Each brooklet seemed a sea of foam.
Where? where was now the promised home?
Ambition! where was now thy power?
Thou wast not near in that lone hour,
Thy whisper lured them from their cot.
Till then contented with their lot,
Unable now the storm to brave,
Thou! canst not even give a grave.