The Complete Poetical Works of Robert Buchanan In Two Volumes. With a Portrait |
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 | The Complete Poetical Works of Robert Buchanan |  |
IV. Nuptial Song.
Where were they wedded? In the holy house
Built up by busy fingers.
All Drowsietown was quiet as a mouse
To hear the village singers.
Built up by busy fingers.
All Drowsietown was quiet as a mouse
To hear the village singers.
Who was the Priest? 'Twas Parson Pendon, dress'd
In surplice to the knuckles,
Wig powder'd, snowy cambric on his breast,
Silk stockings, pumps, and buckles.
In surplice to the knuckles,
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Silk stockings, pumps, and buckles.
What was the service? 'Twas the solemn, stale,
Old-fashioned, English measure:
‘Wilt thou this woman take? and thou this male?’
‘I will’—‘I will’—with pleasure.
Old-fashioned, English measure:
‘Wilt thou this woman take? and thou this male?’
‘I will’—‘I will’—with pleasure.
Who saw it done? The countless rustic eyes
Of folk around them thronging.
Who shared the joy? The matrons with soft sighs,
The girls with bright looks longing.
Of folk around them thronging.
Who shared the joy? The matrons with soft sighs,
The girls with bright looks longing.
Who was the bride? Sweet Phœbe, dress'd in clothes
As white as she who wore 'em,
Sweet-scented, self-possess'd,—one bright White Rose
Of virtue and decorum.
As white as she who wore 'em,
Sweet-scented, self-possess'd,—one bright White Rose
Of virtue and decorum.
Her consecration? Peaceful self-control,
And modest circumspection—
The sweet old service softening her soul
To formulised affection.
And modest circumspection—
The sweet old service softening her soul
To formulised affection.
Surveying with calm eyes the long, straight road
Of matrimonial being,
She wore her wedding clothes, trusting in God,
Domestic, and far-seeing.
Of matrimonial being,
She wore her wedding clothes, trusting in God,
Domestic, and far-seeing.
With steady little hand she sign'd her name,
Nor trembled at the venture.
What did the Bridegroom? Blush'd with sheepish shame,
Endorsing the indenture.
Nor trembled at the venture.
What did the Bridegroom? Blush'd with sheepish shame,
Endorsing the indenture.
O Hymen, Hymen! In the church so calm
Began the old sweet story,
The parson smiled, the summer fields breathed balm,
The crops were in their glory.
Began the old sweet story,
The parson smiled, the summer fields breathed balm,
The crops were in their glory.
Out from the portal came the wedding crew,
All smiling, palpitating;—
And there was Jacob with the cart, bran new,
And the white pony, waiting.
All smiling, palpitating;—
And there was Jacob with the cart, bran new,
And the white pony, waiting.
The girls waved handkerchiefs, the village boys
Shouted, around them rushing,
And off they trotted thro' the light and noise,
She calm, the giant blushing.
Shouted, around them rushing,
And off they trotted thro' the light and noise,
She calm, the giant blushing.
Down the green road, along by glade and grove,
They jog, with rein-bells jingling,
The orchards pink all round, the sun above,
She cold, Eureka tingling.
They jog, with rein-bells jingling,
The orchards pink all round, the sun above,
She cold, Eureka tingling.
And round her waist his arm becomes entwined,
But still her ways are coolish—
‘There's old Dame Dartle looking! Don't now! Mind
The pony! Guess you're foolish!’
But still her ways are coolish—
‘There's old Dame Dartle looking! Don't now! Mind
The pony! Guess you're foolish!’
Who rang the bells? The ringers with a will
Set them in soft vibration.
Hark! loud and clear, there chimes o'er vale and hill
The nuptial jubilation.
Set them in soft vibration.
Hark! loud and clear, there chimes o'er vale and hill
The nuptial jubilation.
| The Complete Poetical Works of Robert Buchanan | |