194 
HArPY LOVE 
ROSE, BRIDAL. 
Rubus Rosafolius. 
Language — HAPPY LOVE. 
Companion, counsel, friend, and wife, 
Through twenty years of wedded life ! 
Dear love, sweetheart — why not address 
Warm words to thee, my hope and pride ? 
I have not lived to love thee less 
Than when I hailed a fair young bride. 
We’ve toiled together side by side, 
Proud — yet it was no selfish pride — 
That toil brought honor, if no wealth ; 
Our hearts have gathered little rust; 
But ours are peace, and hope, and health, 
And mutual love and mutual trust! 
And beauty in that happy face 
The husband lover still can trace ; 
Goodness, and gentleness, and truth 
May live to mock at change and time ; 
They were the graces of thy youth — 
They are the graces of thy prime. 
Ah, more than twenty years ago, 
I hoped, where now I feel and know ! 
Older thou art — yet I can see 
No change impair thy cheek and brow, 
No early beauty fade from thee : 
And am I less a lover now ? 
Anox. 
<§> 
