Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold By "F. Harald Williams"[i.e. F. W. O. Ward]. First Edition |
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 | I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
“WILT THOU HAVE THIS WOMAN?” |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
 | Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold |  |
“WILT THOU HAVE THIS WOMAN?”
Brother, wilt thou have this woman?
She is frail, though very fair
With the glory on her hair,
And the red rose laughing on her lips;
She is tender, she is human,
And doth know of evil and eclipse.
Wilt thou reverence her weakness,
As thou would'st the blessed Christ
Left in lonely awful meekness
At the world's one bitter tryst?
Then thou may'st, but trembling, O man,
Take as trust Divine this woman.
She is frail, though very fair
With the glory on her hair,
And the red rose laughing on her lips;
She is tender, she is human,
And doth know of evil and eclipse.
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As thou would'st the blessed Christ
Left in lonely awful meekness
At the world's one bitter tryst?
Then thou may'st, but trembling, O man,
Take as trust Divine this woman.
Brother, wilt thou have this woman?
She is shy as evening shade,
Excellently meant and made
And compounded of all soft and sweet;
But most brittle and most human,
Nor least lovely in her straying feet.
Wilt thou choose this one to cherish
In such imperfection shod,
Who without thy care must perish
Though the masterpiece of God?
Then thou may'st devoutly, O man,
Take from Him this sacred woman.
She is shy as evening shade,
Excellently meant and made
And compounded of all soft and sweet;
But most brittle and most human,
Nor least lovely in her straying feet.
Wilt thou choose this one to cherish
In such imperfection shod,
Who without thy care must perish
Though the masterpiece of God?
Then thou may'st devoutly, O man,
Take from Him this sacred woman.
Brother, wilt thou have this woman?
She has thoughts beyond thy dreams
Marvellous as moonlit streams,
And a faithfulness to thee not known;
But she is unarmed and human,
An eternal child, with ways her own.
Wilt thou keep and comfort duly
Her in high or low estate,
And uphold in honour truly
One so dear and delicate?
Then thou mayst, but humbly, O man,
Take and wear this jewel—woman.
She has thoughts beyond thy dreams
Marvellous as moonlit streams,
And a faithfulness to thee not known;
But she is unarmed and human,
An eternal child, with ways her own.
Wilt thou keep and comfort duly
Her in high or low estate,
And uphold in honour truly
One so dear and delicate?
Then thou mayst, but humbly, O man,
Take and wear this jewel—woman.
Brother, wilt thou have this woman?
She is wonderful and slight,
Though a mystery of might,
Stronger than the death that is to be;
But all exquisitely human
With devotion deeper than the sea.
Wilt thou love this priceless treasure
(As a soul elect to save,
Not a toy to break at pleasure),
And her only to the grave?
Then thou may'st, rejoicing, O man,
Take thy guardian angel, woman.
She is wonderful and slight,
Though a mystery of might,
Stronger than the death that is to be;
But all exquisitely human
With devotion deeper than the sea.
Wilt thou love this priceless treasure
(As a soul elect to save,
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And her only to the grave?
Then thou may'st, rejoicing, O man,
Take thy guardian angel, woman.
| Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold | |