THE TWO WEDDINGS.
I
Around the marble altar, a hundred tapers blaze;
Upon the bride and bridegroom, a hundred vassals gaze:
A hundred high born ladies upon the princess wait,
A hundred arm'd retainers are mounted at the gate.
The vow is said, the hymn is sung,
Oh! both are fair and both are young;
With what delight they smile to-night,
With them the future must be bright;
Bright it may be, but their state
Gives no surety to either;
Happy indeed is their fate,
If love brings them together.
II
Beside a rural altar, two simple peasants stand,
No bridal gems and dresses have they at their command:
Few friends assemble round them, few eager gazers wait.
And when they reach their dwelling, no vassal opes the gate.
The vow is said, the hymn is sung;
And both are fair and both are young:
Alas! to-day, tho' blithe and gay,
In poverty love may decay!
Poor they may be, but their state
Gives no sorrow to either;
Happy indeed is their fate
If love brings them together.
