EVERY wedding, says the proverb, Makes another, soon or late; Never yet was any marriage Entered in the book of fate, But the names were also written Of the patient pair that wait. Blessings then upon the morning When my friend, with fondest look, By the solemn rites' permission, To himself his mistress took, And the destinies recorded Other two within their book. While the priest fulfilled his office, Still the ground the lovers eyed, And the parents and the kinsmen Aimed their glances at the bride; But the groomsmen eyed the virgins Who were waiting at her side. Three there were that stood beside her; One was dark, and one was fair; But nor fair nor dark the other, Save her Arab eyes and hair; Neither dark nor fair I call her, Yet she was the fairest there. While her groomsman—shall I own it? Yes, to thee, and only thee— Gazed upon this dark-eyed maiden Who was fairest of the three, Thus he thought: "How blest the bridal Where the bride were such as she!" Then I mused upon the adage, Till my wisdom was perplexed, And I wondered, as the churchman Dwelt upon his holy text, Which of all who heard his lesson Should require the service next. Whose will be the next occasion For the flowers, the feast, the wine? Thine, perchance, my dearest lady; Or, who knows?—it may be mine; What if't were—forgive the fancy— What if't were—both mine and thine? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ARS VICTRIX (IMITATED FROM THEOPHILE GAUTIER) by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON THE DEBT by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR SONNET by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS VALENTINES TO MY MOTHER: 1877 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE ANGEL OF PATIENCE by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER RIDDLE by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |