” I Give You That Which Is Mine To Give…”

You can­not pos­sess me for I be­long to myself
But while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give
You can­non com­mand me, for I am a free person
But I shall serve you in those ways you require
and the hon­ey­comb will taste sweet­er com­ing from my hand”

“I pledge to you that yours will be the name I cry aloud in the night and
the eyes in­to which I smile in the morning
I pledge to you the first bite of my meat and the first drink from my cup
I pledge to you my liv­ing and my dy­ing, each equal­ly in your care
I shall be a shield for your back and you for mine
I shall not slan­der you, nor you me
I shall hon­or you above all oth­ers, and when we quar­rel we shall do so in
pri­vate and tell no strangers our grievances”

“This is my wed­ding vow to you
This is the mar­riage of equals.”