A holier thing is life.
Than even on that happy day
When first you called me wife.

The trifles that perplexed me then
Now leave my spirit calm,--
An for the deeper woes of life
I have a healing balm.
I see the hand of God in all,
I know that he is just;
And where I cannot understand
I've learned to wait and trust.

Oh, I remember well the day--
'Twas in the month of June,
When every tree was all in leaf,
And every bird in tune,--
We walked together, arm in arm,
As we are walking now,
But I was young, and Time had left
No traces on your brow.

I listened with a strange delight
To every word you said,
And then to hide the burning tears
I turned away my head.
I dared not trifle with your love,
Though till that magic hour
I had not cared for aching hearts
If they but owned my power.