Sample material: Poetic declarations of love

Wedding speech material for you to adapt should you want to say I love you using verse

To a loving husband

'I'd like to dedicate the following poem, written by Anne Bradstreet, to my dear and loving husband:

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man.
Compare with me ye women if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole mines of gold.
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench.
Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay,
The heavens reward thee manifold I pray.
Then while we live, in love let's so persevere,
That when we live no more, we may live ever.'

To each other

'When we came across this poem, I Want You by Arthur L Gillom, it summed up beautifully what we mean to each other. For that reason, we've chosen an excerpt and decided to read alternate verses:

I want you when the day is at its noontime.
Sun-steeped and quiet, or drenched with sheets of rain:
I want you when the roses bloom in June-time:
I want you when the violets come again.

I want you when my soul is thrilled with passion;
I want you when I'm weary and depressed;
I want you when in lazy, slumberous fashion
My senses need the haven of your breast.

I want you when through field and wood I'm roaming;
I want you when I'm standing on the shore;
I want you when the summer birds are homing -
And when they've flown I want you more and more.

I want you, dear, through every changing season;
I want you with a tear or with a smile;
I want you more than any rhyme or reason -
I want you, want you, want you - all the while.'