Classic Poem

As two fair streams from sunder'd hills
May somewhere meet, and blend in one,
So should the lives of groom and bride
In softly-mingled oneness run.

For God has said, " A man shall leave
His father and his mother's door,
And, cleaving to his wife, shall live
With her, one flesh, for evermore."

For so the minds of man, and bride,
So meetly match'd by God's own plan,
Would seem far less two sundry minds,
Than sides of one full mind of man.

For one is fine, where one is coarse;
If one is hard, there one is meek;
For one too shrinking, one is bold;
And one is strong, where one is weak.

So give Thy gifts of grace, O Lord,
To these two souls, as man and wife,
And those whom Thou hast now made one,
Let no man sunder through their life.

And may they keep their vows, and live
In helpful oneness, each with each,
And still fulfil the holy laws
Thy words, in loving wisdom, teach.

And so may shape their happy life
In righteousness, beneath Thy word;
And bring up, in a godly home,
New sons and daughters to the Lord.