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156
MISTRESS OF THE RING
INSCRIBED TO A BRIDE
Ah, little ring of gold!—all one,
Two lives are in its tender power;
Two morning paths together flower,
Two hearts beat toward the westering sun. ...
Two lives are in its tender power;
Two morning paths together flower,
Two hearts beat toward the westering sun. ...
On the sweet band was laid a charm:
Whoe'er its golden orb should wear,
Her years unblighted May should bear,
With Love to guard her close and warm.
Whoe'er its golden orb should wear,
Her years unblighted May should bear,
With Love to guard her close and warm.
The spell-wrought bond should fold within
That circle of the enchanter's might
All gentle spirits of joy and light—
The dawn-touched Eden pure of sin.
That circle of the enchanter's might
All gentle spirits of joy and light—
The dawn-touched Eden pure of sin.
157
Clasped in its sacred round should glow
The gracious atmosphere of Home,
Whose angels each from Heaven should come
And, vanishing, to Heaven should go.
The gracious atmosphere of Home,
Whose angels each from Heaven should come
And, vanishing, to Heaven should go.
Held safe in that enchanted air,
How fair to her and how serene
The storm-dark world should still be seen
Beneath the rainbow lighted there!
How fair to her and how serene
The storm-dark world should still be seen
Beneath the rainbow lighted there!
All fortunes should by her be won:—
Their myrtle and cypress deathless friends,
Years, many as Heaven for blessing sends,
Bright as to earth Heaven gives the sun.
Their myrtle and cypress deathless friends,
Years, many as Heaven for blessing sends,
Bright as to earth Heaven gives the sun.
This was the precious spell. Behold
(So may its working follow true),
I set its charm in words for you—
See on your hand that spell-bound gold!
(So may its working follow true),
I set its charm in words for you—
See on your hand that spell-bound gold!
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