University of Virginia Library

THE WEDDING RING

LADY
‘Give me a ring, good jeweller,
By no one worn before,
And you shall boast you gave it her
Who wears it evermore.’

JEWELLER
‘Then it shall be a ruby ring,
With hoop of richest gold,
And it shall be my offering
For benefits of old.’

LADY
‘A ruby ring it must not be,
Which is a thing to shine;
An iron ring is best for me,
No other can be mine.’

JEWELLER
‘But surely such a ring 'twere sad
To see a lady wear
Among her guests in jewels clad,
And she so young and fair.’

LADY
‘An iron ring is all I crave
Upon my wedding night,
For I must wear it in the grave,
Where it is out of sight.’

JEWELLER
‘Is it to be a ring to bind
Your heart in wedlock's bond,
Or but to link the day behind
And days that are beyond?’

LADY
‘It is to link me to his peace
Who is not far away;
And when her lonely term may cease,
The bride shall with him stay.’

JEWELLER
‘Who is this bridegroom you would wed,
And yet for ever mourn,
As though you would espouse the dead,
Who never can return?’

LADY
‘It is the dead I would espouse,
With him lie side by side;
There is a chamber in his house
He furnished for his bride.’