Hail, happy bride, for thou art truly blest! Three months of rapture, crown'd with endless rest. Merit like yours was Heav'n's peculiar care, You lov'd -- yet tasted happiness sincere. To you the sweets of love were only shown, The sure succeeding bitter dregs unknown; You had not yet the fatal charge deplor'd, The tender lover for th'imperious lord: Nor felt the pain that jealous fondness brings: Nor felt, that coldness from possession springs. Above your sex, distinguish'd in your fate, You trusted -- yet experienc'd no deceit; Soft were your hours, and wing'd with pleasure flew; No vain repentance gave a sigh to you: And if superior bliss Heaven can bestow, With fellow-angels you enjoy it now. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE ROMANCE OF THE SWAN'S NEST by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING THE RIGS O' BARLEY by ROBERT BURNS AGAINST THEM WHO LAY UNCHASTITY TO THE SEX OF WOMAN by WILLIAM HABINGTON A GLEAM OF SUNSHINE by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW MAN, THE MAN-HUNTER by CARL SANDBURG IN SCHOOL-DAYS by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER |