Frances E.W. Harper's "Advice to Girls"

Advice to Girls  / Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, 1868

Nay, do not blush! I only heard

You had a mind to marry;

I thought I’d speak a friendly word,

So just one moment tarry.

Wed not a man whose merit lies

In things of outward show,

In raven hair, or flashing eyes,

That please your fancy so.

But marry one who’s good and kind,

And free from all pretense;

Who without a gifted mind,

At least has common sense. 

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Slave Marriage  /Anonymous

Dark an’ stormy may come de wedder;

I jines dis he-male an’ dis she-male together.

Let none, but Him dat makes de thunder,

Put dis he-male an’ dis she-male asunder. 

I darefore’ nounce you bofe de same.

Be good, go’long, an’ keep up yo’ name.

De broomstick’s jumped, de worl’s not wide.

She’s now yo’ own.  Salute yo’ bride!

Note: if you have a problem with dialect try reading it out loud #####30

Dearest   / Robert C. O. Benjamin, 1883

I have loved thee fond and truly,

In years that have passed away,

And I love thee now as dearly

As upon our bridal day. 

Yea, my heart is more thine own, dear,

For I know thy priceless worth;

Of all, thou art the dearest,

On this beautiful, bright earth.

In time of fiercest struggling,

When cheerless was my life,

Thy, loving smile has armed me

To conquer in the strife. 

The voice of sweet encouragement

Has nerved my fainting soul.

And brought me sweet contentment,

And saved and made me whole. 

So I love thee fond and truly, dear,

And shall ever love thee so,

Until the messenger of death

Has struck his fatal blow. 

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