Jacob and Laban

"Depart ye, — depart ye, —
For shame, ere the morrow !
Alone let me weep,
In anguish and sorrow,
For her whom so long
I've loved with fond duty ;
For all I have lost
Of sweetness and beauty.

" These seven long years
I've served hardly for her ;
Yet they seemed but a day,
For the love that I bore her !
The chill hour of midnight
Oft watching has found me,
While the wolf and the lion
Were prowling around me.
Shame on the gift ! shame on the giver
Woe, woe, now and for ever !"

" Cheer thee, boy ! — cheer thee, boy !

Blame not her willingness ;
Bound to obey,
And swayed by her lovingness.
Striplings may woo,
But age must beware of them ,
Laws must be framed,
And strangers must care for them.

" Love's like the young rose :
Pulled, it will fade and die :
Love's like the diamond ;
Hardly won, valued high :
For seven years more,
She will kinder and dearer grow ;
Thine shall thy love be,
When thou hast won her so."
" Blest be the boon ! blest be the giver
Joy, joy, now and for ever !"