THE BRIDAL RING.

THIS gem is pledge and image of my heart, — A heart that looks and loves, though not in

view :

MARRIAGE and hanging go by destiny.

Sweetheart and honey-bird keep no house.

There's one good wife in the country, and every man thinks he hath her.

Bachelors' wives and maids' children are always well taught.

In time comes she whom God sends.

Happy is the wooing that is not long in doing.

L

MARY ANERLEY.

ITTLE Mary Anerley, sitting on the stile, Why do you blush so red? and why so strangely smile?

Somebody has been with you, somebody, I know,

Left that sunset on your cheek, left you smiling so! Gentle Mary Anerley, waiting by the wall, Waiting in the chestnut-walk where the snowy blossoms fall,

Somebody is coming there,-somebody, I'm sure, Knows your eyes are full of love, knows your heart is pure.

Happy Mary Anerley, looking, oh, so fair! There's a ring upon your hand, and there's myrtle in your hair!

Somebody is with you now,

somebody, I see,

Looks into your trusting face very tenderly.

Quiet Mary Forester, sitting by the shore,
Rosy faces at your knee, roses round the door,
Somebody is coming home!-somebody, I know,
Made you sorry when he sailed: are you sorry
now?

Arthur J. Munby..

I

AN OFFER.

WANT you, Carrie, for my wife. You may hunt far and wide; but you'll find nobody that'll keer for you as I will. Every

man, Carrie, that's wuth his salt, must find a woman to work for; and, when he's nigh onto thirty as I am, he wants to see a youngster growing up to take his place when he gits old: otherwise, no matter how lucky he is, there's not much comfort in livin'. Perhaps I don't talk quite as fine as some but talking's like the froth on the creek; maybe it's shallow, and maybe it's deep, you can't tell. The heart's the main thing; and, thank God, I'm right Carrie, don't trifle with me.

there.

BEAUTIFUL MAUD.

Bayard Taylor.

GOOD-MORNING to thee, beautiful Maud!

Coming so briskly out of the mist :

What make thy feet so early abroad,

Ere the autumn sun the hill has kissed? What art thou doing in my heart, sweet Maud. Tripping in beauty so early abroad?

Good-morning to thee, beautiful Maud !
What makes my heart leap up to my
As I see thee coming so early abroad

mouth

From the woodbine cottage in the south? What art thou doing in my heart, sweet Maud, Tripping in beauty so early abroad?

Good-morning to thee, beautiful Maud!

I cannot but meet thee all of the day, In thy snow-white hood so early abroad; And thou always bearest my heart away: What art thou doing with my heart, sweet Maud, Tripping in beauty so early abroad?

Thou art out of my sight, O beautiful Maud ! With thy dreamy eyes and nut-brown hair; But, should I not meet thee to-morrow abroad,

"Twould drive my heart almost to despair. Alas! thou'st ruined my heart, sweet Maud, Tripping in beauty so early abroad.

THE BRIDAL.

ALIVE with eyes, the village sees

Rankin.

The bridal dawning from the trees,

And housewives swarm i' the sun like bees.

Love's lovely to the passer-by;
But they who love are regioned high
On hills of bliss, with heaven nigh.

The blessing given, the ring is on;
And at God's altar radiant run

The currents of two lives in one!

I,

Beyond all limit of what else i' the world,

Do love, prize, honor you.

MIRANDA.

I am a fool,

Here's my hand.

Το weep at what I'm glad of.

FERDINAND.

MIRANDA. And mine, with my heart in't.

Shakespeare.

GAYLY

WOOING AND WEDDING.

AYLY the sun woos the spring for his bride, With kisses all warm and golden;

Till the life at her heart she no longer may hide, And the wealth of her love is unfolden.