A Bridal Song

The golden gates of Sleep unbar

      Where Strength and Beauty, met together,

Kindle their image like a star

      In a sea of glassy weather!

Night, with all thy stars look down,—

      Darkness, weep thy holiest dew,—

Never smiled the inconstant moon

On a pair so true.

Let eyes not see their own delight;—

Haste, swift Hour, and thy flight

Oft renew.

Fairies, sprites, and angels, keep her!

      Holy stars, permit no wrong!

And return to wake the sleeper,

Dawn,—ere it be long!

O joy! O fear! what will be done

In the absence of the sun!

Come along!