The reason why so few marriages are happy is because young ladies spend
their time in making nets, not in making cages.

--_Swift._

1298

COMPANIONSHIP IN MARRIAGE.

If God had designed woman as man's master, He would have taken her from
his head; if as his slave, He would have taken her from his feet; but as
He designed her for his companion and equal, He took her from his side.

--_St. Augustine._

1299

The following was written on a card by an old friend of a young lady's
when he sent her some flowers on the eve of her wedding day:--"I have
sent you a few flowers to adorn the dying moments of your single life."

1300

The treasures of the deep are not so precious
As are the concealed comforts of a man
Lock'd up in woman's love. I scent the air
Of blessings, when I come but near the house.
What a delicious breath marriage sends forth--
The violet bed's not sweeter!

--_Middleton._

1301

Blessed their life whose marriage prospers well,
But if things fall out ill, no happiness
Awaits them, within doors or without,--so beware!

--_Unknown._

1302

THE MARRIAGE VOW.

Speak it not lightly; 'tis a holy thing--
A bond, enduring thro' long distant years,
Life will not prove all sunshine; there will come
Dark hours for all; oh! will ye, when the night
Of sorrow gathers thickly round your home,
Love as ye did in days when smooth and bright
Seemed the sure path ye trod, untouched by care,
And deemed the future, like the present, fair?

Age, with its silvery locks, will come stealing on,
And bring the tottering step, the furrow'd cheek,
The eye, from whence each lustrous gleam hath gone;
And the pale lip, with accents low and weak;
Will ye then think upon your youth's gay prime,
And, smiling, bid love triumph over time?

Speak it not lightly; oh! beware! beware!
'Tis no vain promise, no unmeaning word;
Before God's altar, now ye both do swear,
And by the High and Holy One 'tis heard!
Be faithful to each other till life's close;
Seek peace below, and you'll get Heaven's repose.

1303

Let him who weds, wed character, not money.

1304