A Poor Man's Reasons for Not Marrying

I heard thy voice amid the psalm,
Where many voices meet,
Yet thy low voice was like a calm.
It was so soft and sweet.
'Twas like a calm upon the ocean.
When seas have been in wild commotion.
I heard thy voice one summer eve
Within thy lowly cot.
When I am sure thou didst believe
That mortal heard it not.
And then thy voice was bold and strong,
Singing a solitary song.

I heard a meagre mother sing,
With small and whining note.
To soothe a little pining thing,
From bare and hungry throat ;
And then I thought, O lady mine,
May never such a song be thine !