Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE ANGEL IN THE HOUSE: BOOK 2. CANTO 11. THE WEDDING, by COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON PATMORE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Life smitten with a feverish chill Last Line: Swathed by the red breath of the sun Subject(s): Marriage; Weddings; Husbands; Wives | ||||||||
1 Life smitten with a feverish chill, The brain too tired to understand, In apathy of heart and will, I took the woman from the hand Of him who stood for God, and heard Of Christ, and of the Church his Bride; The Feast, by presence of the Lord And his first Wonder, beautified; The mystic sense to Christian men; The bonds in innocency made, And gravely to be enter'd then For children, godliness, and aid, And honour'd, and kept free from smirch; And how a man must love his wife No less than Christ did love his Church, If need be, giving her his life; And, vowing then the mutual vow, The tongue spoke, but intention slept. 'Tis well for us Heaven asks not how We take this oath, but how 'tis kept. 2 O, bold seal of a bashful bond, Which makes the marriage-day to be, To those before it and beyond, An iceberg in an Indian sea! 3 'Now, while she's changing,' said the Dean, 'Her bridal for her travelling dress, 'I'll preach allegiance to your queen! 'Preaching's the thing which I profess; 'And one more minute's mine! You know 'I've paid my girl a father's debt, 'And this last charge is all I owe. 'She's your's; but I love more than yet 'You can; such fondness only wakes 'When time has raised the heart above 'The prejudice of youth, which makes 'Beauty conditional to love. 'Prepare to meet the weak alarms 'Of novel nearness: recollect 'The eye which magnifies her charms 'Is microscopic for defect. 'Fear comes at first; but soon, rejoiced, 'You'll find your strong and tender loves, 'Like holy rocks by Druids poised, 'The least force shakes, but none removes. 'Her strength is your esteem; beware 'Of finding fault; her will's unnerv'd 'By blame; from you 'twould be despair; 'But praise that is not quite deserv'd 'Will all her noble nature move 'To make your utmost wishes true. 'Yet think, while mending thus your Love, 'Of matching her ideal too! 'The death of nuptial joy is sloth: 'To keep your mistress in your wife, 'Keep to the very height your oath, 'And honour her with arduous life. 'Lastly, no personal reverence doff. 'Life's all externals unto those 'Who pluck the blushing petals off, 'To find the secret of the rose. -- 'How long she's tarrying! Green's Hotel 'I'm sure you'll like. The charge is fair, 'The wines good. I remember well 'I stay'd once, with her Mother, there. 'A tender conscience of her vow 'That Mother had! She's so like her!' But Mrs. Fife, much flurried, now Whisper'd, 'Miss Honor's ready, Sir.' 4 Whirl'd off at last, for speech I sought, To keep shy Love in countenance; But, whilst I vainly tax'd my thought, Her voice deliver'd mine from trance: 'Look, is not this a pretty shawl, 'Aunt's parting gift.' 'She's always kind.' 'The new wing spoils Sir John's old Hall: 'You'll see it, if you pull the blind.' 5 I drew the silk: in heaven the night Was dawning; lovely Venus shone, In languishment of tearful light, Swathed by the red breath of the sun | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BLESSING FOR A WEDDING by JANE HIRSHFIELD A SUITE FOR MARRIAGE by DAVID IGNATOW ADVICE TO HER SON ON MARRIAGE by MARY BARBER THE RABBI'S SON-IN-LAW by SABINE BARING-GOULD KISSING AGAIN by DORIANNE LAUX A TIME PAST by DENISE LEVERTOV A LONDON FETE by COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON PATMORE |
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