William Cowper - The Doves

Reasoning at every step he treads , Man yet mistakes his way , While meaner things whom instinct leads Are rarely known to stray. One silent eve I wandered late , And heard the voice of love; The turtle thus addressed her mate , And soothed the listening dove: Our mutual bond of faith and truth , No time shall disengage; Those blessings of our early youth Shall cheer our latest age. While innocence without disguise , And constancy sincere , Shall fill the circles of those eyes , And mine can read them there , Those ills that wait on all below Shall ne'er be felt by me , Or gently felt , or only so , As being shared with thee. When lightnings flash among the trees , Or kites are hovering near , I fear lest thee alone they seize , And know no other fear. 'Tis then I feel myself a wife , And press thy wedded side , Resolved a union formed for life Death never shall divide. But oh ! if fickle and unchaste , (Forgive a transient thought , ) Thou couldst become unkind at last , And scorn thy present lot. No need of lightnings from on high , Or kites with cruel beak , Denied the endearments of thine eye This widowed heart would break. Thus sang the sweet sequestered bird , Soft as the passing wind , And I recorded what I heard , A lesson for mankind.William Cowperhttp://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-doves-2/