Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold By "F. Harald Williams"[i.e. F. W. O. Ward]. First Edition |
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THE BRIDE OF HEAVEN. |
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 | Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold |  |
THE BRIDE OF HEAVEN.
My face was never meant a fortune,
God put His treasure in
My heart which no one did importune,
And deeper than the skin;
But there a blessing beyond guessing
And not for every man's caressing
Or any fool to win,
He planted meet as meadow-sweet
And sheltered fast from sin.
He watered it with pleasant tears
In trembling hopes and trustful fears
And His divinest doubt,
While with a tender hidden splendour
He compassed it about.
How could He hang a jewel fair
As woman's wondrous love,
Upon a fragile thread of hair
However bright above?
Or in the colour of a cheek
Supremely ripe and rounded,
Till it in grace abounded,
As roseleaves with no charms to seek?
He does not dwell on lips of scarlet,
Or look from eyes of gray and starlit.
God put His treasure in
My heart which no one did importune,
And deeper than the skin;
But there a blessing beyond guessing
And not for every man's caressing
Or any fool to win,
He planted meet as meadow-sweet
And sheltered fast from sin.
He watered it with pleasant tears
In trembling hopes and trustful fears
And His divinest doubt,
While with a tender hidden splendour
He compassed it about.
How could He hang a jewel fair
As woman's wondrous love,
Upon a fragile thread of hair
However bright above?
Or in the colour of a cheek
Supremely ripe and rounded,
Till it in grace abounded,
As roseleaves with no charms to seek?
He does not dwell on lips of scarlet,
Or look from eyes of gray and starlit.
And yet I sometimes pine for blisses
Which I have never known,
The maddening throb of maiden kisses
Though light as breezes blown;
The shy refusing and excusing
Of wants one wishes if abusing,
And sadly missed when flown;
Consenting coy, resisted joy,
Denied, yet all one's own.
My mouth has felt no passion thrill
Nor struggled with the amorous ill
Desired when least empowered,
Nor glowed at rapture of the capture
Which left its dew deflowered.
Men only mark the beauty's paint,
The outward bloom and pride,
While these may cloke a poison taint
And shame and death inside.
I know an angel in me dwells
With radiant form and features,
Unlike these surface creatures
Made up of poor and passing spells.
The earth must take its sordid leaven,
But I'm betrothed the Bride of Heaven.
Which I have never known,
The maddening throb of maiden kisses
Though light as breezes blown;
The shy refusing and excusing
Of wants one wishes if abusing,
And sadly missed when flown;
Consenting coy, resisted joy,
417
My mouth has felt no passion thrill
Nor struggled with the amorous ill
Desired when least empowered,
Nor glowed at rapture of the capture
Which left its dew deflowered.
Men only mark the beauty's paint,
The outward bloom and pride,
While these may cloke a poison taint
And shame and death inside.
I know an angel in me dwells
With radiant form and features,
Unlike these surface creatures
Made up of poor and passing spells.
The earth must take its sordid leaven,
But I'm betrothed the Bride of Heaven.
| Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold | |