Classic Poem

LADY

" Give me a ring, good jeweller,
By no one worn before,
And you shall boast you gave it her
Who wears it evermore."

JEWELLER

" Then it shall be a ruby ring,
With hoop of richest gold,
And it shall be my offering
For benefits of old."
LADY

" A ruby ring it must not be,
Which is a thing to shine;
An iron ring is best for me,
No other can be mine."

JEWELLER

" But surely such a ring 'twere sad
To see a lady wear
Among her guests in jewels clad,
And she so young and fair."

LADY

" An iron ring is all I crave
Upon my wedding night,
For I must wear it in the grave,
Where it is out of sight."

JEWELLER

" Is it to be a ring to bind
Your heart in wedlock's bond,
Or but to link the day behind
And days that are beyond?"

LADY

" It is to link me to his peace
Who is not far away;
And when her lonely term may cease,
The bride shall with him stay."

JEWELLER

" Who is this bridegroom you would wed,
And yet for ever mourn,
As though you would espouse the dead,
Who never can return?"

LADY

" It is the dead I would espouse,
With him lie side by side;
There is a chamber in his house
He furnished for his bride."