Classic Poem

This is that day of days when, long ago,
We stood together by an ancient man
And heard him drone about the Scriptural plan
Which plighted men and women here below;
And westward burned the Autumn afterglow
While scarlet vines across the branches ran,
And flying leaves, a russet caravan
Fled down the vales in rustling overflow.

I scarcely recollect the spoken words,
Nor care I for the ceremony vain
Which said, forsooth, that God had made us one,
Since Love had mated us as mate the birds —
And on the windows was the West's bright stain
The parting benediction of the sun.