The Complete Poetical Works of Robert Buchanan In Two Volumes. With a Portrait |
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 | The Complete Poetical Works of Robert Buchanan |  |
III. Nuptial Song.
Where were they wedded? In no Temple of ice
Built up by human fingers;
The floor was strewn with flowers of fair device,
The wood-birds were the singers.
Built up by human fingers;
The floor was strewn with flowers of fair device,
The wood-birds were the singers.
Who was the Priest? The priest was the still Soul,
Calm, gentle, and low-spoken;
He read a running brooklet like a scroll,
And trembled at the token.
Calm, gentle, and low-spoken;
He read a running brooklet like a scroll,
And trembled at the token.
What was the service? 'Twas the service read
When Adam's faith was plighted!
The tongue was silent, but the lips rose-red
In silence were united.
When Adam's faith was plighted!
The tongue was silent, but the lips rose-red
In silence were united.
Who saw it done? The million starry eyes
Of one ecstatic Heaven.
Who shared the joy? The flowers, the trees, the skies
Thrill'd as each kiss was given.
Of one ecstatic Heaven.
Who shared the joy? The flowers, the trees, the skies
Thrill'd as each kiss was given.
Who was the Bride? A spirit strong and true,
Beauteous to human seeing,—
Soft elements of flesh, air, fire, and dew,
Blent in one Rose of being.
Beauteous to human seeing,—
Soft elements of flesh, air, fire, and dew,
Blent in one Rose of being.
What was her consecration? Innocence!
Pure as the wood-doves round her,
Nothing she knew of rites—the strength intense
Of God and Nature found her.
Pure as the wood-doves round her,
Nothing she knew of rites—the strength intense
Of God and Nature found her.
As freely as maids give a lock away,
She gave herself unto him.
What was the Bridegroom? Clay, and common clay,
Yet the wild joy slipt through him.
She gave herself unto him.
What was the Bridegroom? Clay, and common clay,
Yet the wild joy slipt through him.
Hymen, O Hymen! By the birds was shed
A matrimonial cadence!
Da nuces! Squirrels strew'd the nuts, instead
Of rosy youths and maidens!
A matrimonial cadence!
Da nuces! Squirrels strew'd the nuts, instead
Of rosy youths and maidens!
Eureka, yea, Eureka was to blame—
He was an erring creature:
Uncivilised by one wild flash of flame
He waver'd back on Nature.
He was an erring creature:
Uncivilised by one wild flash of flame
He waver'd back on Nature.
He kiss'd her lips, he drank her breath in bliss,
He drew her to his bosom:
As a clod kindles at the Spring's first kiss
His being burst to blossom!
He drew her to his bosom:
As a clod kindles at the Spring's first kiss
His being burst to blossom!
Who rung the bells? The breeze, the merry breeze,
Set all in bright vibration:
Clear, sweet, yet low, there trembled through the trees
The nuptial jubilation!
Set all in bright vibration:
Clear, sweet, yet low, there trembled through the trees
The nuptial jubilation!
| The Complete Poetical Works of Robert Buchanan | |