Seek a good wife of thy God, for she is the best gift of His providence; Yet ask not in bold confidence that which He hath not promised: Thou knowest not His good will:--be thy prayer then submissive there-unto; And leave thy petition to His mercy, assured that He will deal well with thee. If thou art to have a wife of thy youth, she is now living on the earth; Therefore think of her, and pray for her weal; yea, though thou hast not seen her. They that love early become like-minded, and the tempter toucheth them not: They grow up leaning on each other, as the olive and the vine. Youth longeth for a kindred spirit, and yearneth for a heart that can commune with his own; He meditateth night and day, doting on the image of his fancy. Take heed that what charmeth thee is real, nor springeth of thine own imagination; And suffer not trifles to win thy love; for a wife is thine unto death. The harp and the voice may thrill thee,--sound may enchant thine ear, But consider thou, the hand will wither, and the sweet notes turn discord: The eye, so brilliant at even, may be red with sorrow in the morning; And the sylph-like form of elegance must writhe in the crampings of pain. O happy lot, and hallowed, even as the joy of angels, Where the golden chain of godliness is entwined with the roses of love: But beware thou seem not to be holy, to win favour in the eyes of a creature, For the guilt of the hypocrite is deadly, and winneth thee wrath elsewhere. The idol of thy heart is, as thou, a probationary sojourner on earth; Therefore be chary of her soul, for that is the jewel in her casket: Let her be a child of God, that she bring with her a blessing to thy house,-- A blessing above riches, and leading contentment in its train: Let her be an heir of Heaven; so shall she help thee on thy way: For those who are one in faith, fight double-handed against evil. Take heed lest she love thee before God; that she be not an idolater: Yet see thou that she love thee well: for her heart is the heart of woman; And the triple nature of humanity must be bound by a triple chain, For soul and mind and body--godliness, esteem, and affection.