176 . A Bridal Song

SHE is more sparkling beautiful

Than dawn-light seen thro’ tears

The weeping worlds of Paradise

Shed down upon the spheres.

Her eyes are bright and passionate

With love’s immortal flame—

The flowers of a wildwood tree

In petals write her name.

Her breath of life ’s so wondrous sweet

The bees halt, in amaze,

Their streaming honey-laden fleet

Above the meadow ways;

And every little singing thing

Atween the breasted hill

And God’s high-vaulted cloistering

Upraises with a will

Paeans of laud, and cheery chaunts

Of her, who now is mine—

Queen-Angel of angelic haunts

Thro’ months of mead and wine.