Classic Poem

ON THE MARRIAGE OF JAMES ADDIE, ESQ., VIEWPARK, BOTHWELL,
WITH JULIA WAKEFIELD, EASTWOODPARK, RENFREW .

Hark ! the festal cannons boom:
Banish brooding, care, and gloom;
Happy looks and smiles assume
On this auspicious day:
Ringing cheers give welcome high,
Pealing guns give loud reply,
Streaming flags salute the sky
And on the breezes play.

Cease hot labour for a while;
Frolic round each flaming pile;
On each bronzed cheek a smile
Of pleased emotion glows:
Circling round the tow'ring flames,
Loud each jubilant cheer proclaims
Love and honour to the names
The nuptial bands enclose!

Hail and welcome, happy pair!
Manly form and lady fair:
Bright the home dear hands prepare;
Come, gentle lady, come.
To the verdant banks of Clyde,
Hand in hand, and side by side,
The bridegroom leads his gentle bride —
The angel of his home.

Home! sweet home, the gentle sway
Of sweet woman leads the way
To love and peace. Be yours, for aye,
A happy, blissful home.
Welcome as the flowers in May,
Lady, such is thine to-day;
Welcome, pure and bright as they,
With May's sweet blossoms come.

Loving welcomes, true and kind,
Lady, it is thine to find,
In the new-found ties that bind
In bonds of kindred love.
Lady, take the gift I bring —
Violet wreaths, the birth of spring,
Simple as the strain I sing,
In hope thou wilt approve.