Classic Poem

We give you heartfelt greeting, — you two, who hand in hand
Have toiled up stony places, and now together stand
Surrounded by the plenty and the fatness of the land.

You have helped to build the country, as early pioneers;
You have shared each other's pleasures, you have wept each other's tears;
And have cut your loaf together — for five and twenty years.

You have shared your toil and trouble, with willing hearts and true:
You have bravely pulled together — and a load, to me or you,
Is only half as heavy for being borne by two.

All praise to honest labor! and to the patient skill
That has helped you over ditches, and so far up the hill; —
To the cheerful perseverance that keeps you climbing still.

You have had your days of sadness, of shadows dark and deep;
You have grown footsore and heavy when the way was hard and steep;
And sometimes, over weary, have sat you down to weep.

You have had your bitter losses — stretching hauds in vain to save;
You have seen your blossoms dropping, each to a tiny grave,
Where the winter drifts lie heavy, where the summer grasses wave.

But your arms are not left empty; one hears, from out the street,
The sound of children's voices, the fall of little feet;
And sees, beside you standing, young daughters fair and sweet.

So blessings cover losses, so kindly old hurts heal.
'Tis well for all that sorrow gives place to pleasant weal,
That we need not feel forever the prick of cruel steel.

Sufficient each day's evil — sufficient to alloy,
With its dash of pungent bitter, the sweet of passing joy.
Then let us not reach backward for something to annoy.

So here's a merry greeting. We wake no silent knells,
No stir the choking damps in your dark and sunken wells.
We come as friends and neighbors, to ring your wedding bells.

We come with best good wishes — for this my song is sung —
With friendship in each hand-clasp, good will on every tongue,
Long may you live and prosper — may you be always Young .

May you see increasing fullness in basket and in store;
May you barns with bursting plenty be full and running o'er;
May your roots strike deep and deeper, like the poplar at your door.

May Time steal gentle marches, and touch you tenderly;
May you clasp your children's children, and may you live to see
The day of your golden wedding — and won't you please ask me?