Chips, fragments and vestiges by Gail Hamilton collected and arranged by H. Augusta Dodge |
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THE BRIDAL AND THE FUNERAL |
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 | Chips, fragments and vestiges by Gail Hamilton |  |
THE BRIDAL AND THE FUNERAL
I saw her at the altar,
Arrayed in purest white;
Her beauteous cheek was glowing,
Her eye was clear and bright.
Arrayed in purest white;
Her beauteous cheek was glowing,
Her eye was clear and bright.
I saw the bridegroom standing
So happy by her side,
And proudly gazing on her,
His sweet and gentle bride.
So happy by her side,
And proudly gazing on her,
His sweet and gentle bride.
They knelt before the altar,
That lovely youthful pair,
And manliness and sweetness
I saw contrasted there.
That lovely youthful pair,
And manliness and sweetness
I saw contrasted there.
13
And when the aged pastor
In low but thrilling tone,
Had said, with deep emotion,
The words that made them one,
In low but thrilling tone,
Had said, with deep emotion,
The words that made them one,
He prayed that life before them
Might ever be as bright,
That no dark clouds of sorrow
Might intercept the light.
Might ever be as bright,
That no dark clouds of sorrow
Might intercept the light.
And as the bridegroom bore her
From home and friends away,
Full many a prayer, I ween,
Went up for her that day.
From home and friends away,
Full many a prayer, I ween,
Went up for her that day.
'Twas twelve months ere I saw her,
Then in the self-same place—
The church where she was married—
I saw again her face.
Then in the self-same place—
The church where she was married—
I saw again her face.
But what a change I witnessed!
She, who a year ago
Was full of youthful buoyancy,
By death was now laid low.
She, who a year ago
Was full of youthful buoyancy,
By death was now laid low.
That eye, so bright and sparkling,
No more shall view earth's scenes;
That cheek is cold and deathly,
And marble-like it seems.
No more shall view earth's scenes;
That cheek is cold and deathly,
And marble-like it seems.
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And he, to whom were plighted
The youthful vows of love,
He, too, was gone before her
To welcome her above.
The youthful vows of love,
He, too, was gone before her
To welcome her above.
Thus ever is it here below:
Those hopes which surest seem
Are often blighted, and we wake
To find life's but a dream
Those hopes which surest seem
Are often blighted, and we wake
To find life's but a dream
1847.
| Chips, fragments and vestiges by Gail Hamilton | |