Classic Poem

I WATCHED the glad procession cross the green,
When lad and lass came tripping through the dells;
I heard the happy sound of minster bells,
And choral songs between.

Through the gothic-vaulted dome
The swelling organ rolled
Delightful modulations manifold,
Till all at once the children said, “They come!
Place flowers,” they said,
“Upon her head,
With harebells from the dingle side,
And bridal roses crown the bride,
For fairer never yet was wed!”

Along the middle aisle they came,
He full of manly dignity—the pride
Of all the town, she moving by his side
With drooping eyelids meek,
Demurely, and a little flame
Of maiden bashfulness upon her cheek,—
Her heart beneath its snowy vest
Rocking the white rose on her breast,
So tenderly, so daintily,
That one could not but long to be
Rocked with it into rosy rest!

What time before the shrine they stood,
The nuptial music ceased,
All save a passionate, low interlude,
That tremblingly decreased,
To a soft whisper trickling down the keys,
Involving snatches of old melodies,
Until the vows were taken,
And the gray priest, with hands outstretched above,
Perpetual benediction supplicated,
On them the wedded, worthy mated,
Bold-hearted Youth, and everlasting Love:

Then with impetuous exultation shaken,
The organ chorals rose again sublime,
And all the deep bells swung in golden chime,
And jarred the air with joy's delicious madness!
Again the children shouted in new gladness,
“Twine flowers,” they said,
“About her head,
With myrtle from the mountain side,
And double-blushing roses crown the bride,
For fairer never yet was wed!”