DEAR Anna, when I brought her veil, Her white veil, on her wedding night, Threw o'er my thin brown hair its folds, And, laughing, turned me to the light. "See, Bessie, see! you wear at last The bridal veil, forsworn for years!" She saw my face, -- her laugh was hushed, Her happy eyes were filled with tears. With kindly haste and trembling hand She drew away the gauzy mist; "Forgive, dear heart!" her sweet voice said: Her loving lips my forehead kissed. We passed from out the searching light; The summer night was calm and fair: I did not see her pitying eyes, I felt her soft hand smooth my hair. Her tender love unlocked my heart; 'Mid falling tears, at last I said, "Forsworn indeed to me that veil Because I only love the dead!" She stood one moment statue-still, And, musing, spake, in undertone, "The living love may colder grow; The dead is safe with God alone!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DIXIE by DANIEL DECATUR EMMETT SONG FOR JULY 12TH, 1843 by JOHN DE JEAN FRAZER ECHOES: 35. MARGARITAE SORORI by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY RORY O'MORE; OR, ALL FOR GOOD LUCK by SAMUEL LOVER EDONI: THE WORSHIP OF COTYS by AESCHYLUS THE FIGHT WITH THE SNAPPING TURTLE; OR, THE AMERICAN ST. GEORGE by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN LINES WITH A WEDDING PRESENT by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD SONNETS OF MANHOOD: SONNET 24. BALCOMBE FOREST by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) |