Classic and Contemporary Poetry
MOORISH BRIDAL SONG, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The citron-groves their fruit and flowers were strewing Last Line: Weep for the young, the beautiful, -- the dead! Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea Subject(s): Death; Moors (people); Wedding Song; Dead, The; Epithalamium | ||||||||
THE citron-groves their fruit and flowers were strewing Around a Moorish palace, while the sigh Of low sweet summer winds the branches wooing With music through their shadowy bowers went by; Music and voices, from the marble halls Through the leaves gleaming, and the fountain-falls. A song of joy, a bridal song came swelling To blend with fragrance in those southern shades, And told of feasts within the stately dwelling, Bright lamps, and dancing steps, and gem-crowned maids; And thus it flowed: -- yet something in the lay Belonged to sadness, as it died away. "The bride comes forth! her tears no more are falling To leave the chamber of her infant years; Kind voices from a distant home are calling; She comes like day-spring -- she hath done with tears; Now must her dark eye shine on other flowers, Her soft smile gladden other hearts than ours! -- Pour the rich odors round! "We haste! the chosen and the lovely bringing; Love still goes with her from her place of birth; Deep, silent joy within her soul is springing, Though in her glance the light no more is mirth! Her beauty leaves us in its rosy years; Her sister weeps -- but she hath done with tears! -- Now may the timbrel sound!" Know'st thou for whom they sang the bridal numbers --? One, whose rich tresses were to wave no more! One, whose pale cheek soft winds, nor gentle slumbers, Nor Love's own sigh, to rose-tints might restore! Her graceful ringlets o'er a bier were spread. Weep for the young, the beautiful, -- the dead! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...POEM FOR A WEDDING by GLYN MAXWELL BRIDAL SONG by GEORGE CHAPMAN (1559-1634) ESTONIAN BRIDAL SONG by JOHANN GOTTFRIED VON HERDER THE SERGEANT'S WEDDIN' by RUDYARD KIPLING THE PHOENIX AND THE TURTLE by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE EPITHALAMION by EDMUND SPENSER A DIRGE (1) by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS |
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