THE BRIDE BEAT on the Tom-toms, and scatter the flowers, Jasmine, hibiscus, vermilion and white, This is the day, and the Hour of Hours, Bring forth the Bride for her Lover's delight. Maidens no more as a maiden shall claim her, Near, in his Mystery, draweth Desire. Who, if she waver a moment, shall blame her? She is a flower, and love is a fire. Give her the anklets, the ring, and the necklace, Bridegroom, a whisper,-be gentle and tender, Bring forth the silks and the veil that shall cover Red are her lips for the kiss of a lover, Shyly aware of the swift-coming hour, Still must the Bridegroom his longing dissemble, Fingers well skilled with the bridle and sword. Thine is his valor, oh Bride, and his beauty, Thine to possess and re-issue again, Such is thy tender and passionate duty, Licit thy pleasure and honored thy pain. A Marriage Charm 1165 Choti Tinchaurya, lovely and tender, Still all unbroken to sorrow and strife, Come to the Bridegroom who, silk-clad and slender, Laurence Hope [? -1904] A MARRIAGE CHARM I SET a charm upon your hurrying breath, A woman's love nine Angels cannot bind, I set a charm upon you, foot and hand, I set my charm upon your kindly arm, I bid your wandering footsteps me to follow, I am your dream, Sweet; so no more of dreaming, Your heart to mine, 'neath nut-brown tresses streaming, Nora Hopper [18 "LIKE A LAVEROCK IN THE LIFT” Ir's we two, it's we two, it's we two for aye, What's the world, my lass, my love!—what can it do? I am thine, and thou art mine; life is sweet and new. If the world have missed the mark, let it stand by; For we two have gotten leave, and once more we'll try. Like a laverock in the lift, sing, O bonny bride! When the darker days come, and no sun will shine, MY OWEN PROUD of you, fond of you, clinging so near to you, Light is my heart now I know I am dear to you! Glad is my voice now, so free it may sing for you All the wild love that is burning within for you! Tell me once more, tell it over and over, The tale of that eve which first saw you my lover. Now I need never blush At my heart's hottest gush The wife of my Owen her heart may discover! Proud of you, fond of you, having all right in you, Quitting all else through my love and delight in you! Glad is my heart since 'tis beating so nigh to you! Light is my step for it always may fly to you! Doris: A Pastoral 1167 Clasped in your arms where no sorrow can reach to me, By that blest marriage vow, More than the wisest know your heart shall preach to me. Ellen Mary Patrick Downing [1828-1869] DORIS: A PASTORAL I SAT with Doris, the shepherd maiden; And she, my Doris, whose lap incloses Wild summer roses of faint perfume, The while I sued her, kept hushed and harkened She touched my shoulder with fearful finger; I answered bolder, "Nay, let me hear you, She whispered, sighing, "There will be sorrow Said I, denying, "If they do miss you, They ought to kiss you when you get home; "They might remember," she answered meekly, "That lambs are weakly and sheep are wild; But if they love me it's none so fervent I am a servant and not a child." Then each hot ember glowed quick within me, And love did win me to swift reply: "Ah! do but prove me, and none shall bind you, Nor fray nor find you until I die!" She blushed and started, and stood awaiting, But I did brave them-I told her plainly, So we, twin-hearted, from all the valley That simple duty such grace did lend her, And now in beauty she fills my dwelling And love doth guard her, both fast and fervent, No more a servant, nor yet a child. Arthur Joseph Munby [1828 "HE'D NOTHING BUT HIS VIOLIN" HE'D nothing but his violin, I'd nothing but my song, But we were wed when skies were blue And summer days were long; And when we rested by the hedge, The robins came and told How they had dared to woo and win, When early Spring was cold. |